Sanctum: A Review

Description (goodreads):

In this haunting, fast-paced sequel to the New York Times bestselling photo-illustrated novel Asylum, three teens must unlock some long-buried secrets from the past before the past comes back to get them first. Featuring found photographs, many from real vintage carnivals, Sanctum is a mind-bending reading experience that blurs the lines between past and present, genius and insanity, perfect for fans of the smash hit Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Dan, Abby, and Jordan remain traumatized by the summer they shared in the Brookline asylum. Much as they'd love to move on, someone is determined to keep the terror alive, sending the teens photos of an old-timey carnival, with no note and no name. Forsaking their plan never to go back, the teens return to New Hampshire College under the guise of a weekend for prospective students, and there they realize that the carnival from the photos is not only real, it's here on campus, apparently for the first time in many years.

Sneaking away from sample classes and college parties, Dan and his friends lead a tour of their own—one through the abandoned houses and hidden places of the surrounding town. Camford is hiding a terrible past, and the influence of the asylum runs deeper than Dan ever imagined.

My Review:

This was a great sequel to the creepy first installment, Asylum! In Asylum, everything is mysterious, we don't know what is causing what or why things keep happening. In Sanctum, we finally get those answers.

Granted, we don't really get them until the end, but we get them.

This book was definitely more intense than the first one. Since we already have the creepiness of Camford from the the first novel, we start out with that foreboding and the sense of what the heck is going to happen next.

In the first book I was confused and wanted nothing more than to know what the freak was going on. I had that same feeling in this book, except things kept happening that allowed me to start to piece things together. Was I right most of the time? No, actually, I wasn't. Which was nice. It helped make things more intense.

Let's say I wasn't expecting a lot of things. This book definitely focuses on supernatural aspects, but not as much as I originally thought. There are a few things in here that can actually happen. That real super ultra mega creepy people actually do. I think that's another reason why I was so creeped out. Crazy people scare the living daylights out of me. Sure, supernatrual stuff can be scary sometimes, but! When things happen in books that could happen in real life, THAT'S when I'm like.... uhhhhhhh! And hug a blanket or something.

We had a thunder storm this morning while I was finishing this book, and normally I'm not afraid of thunder, but I did jump because a huge boom happened at an intense part.

The characters, Dan, Abby, and Jordan are great characters who keep us hooked. They are realistic people who hate being in this situation and only went back to Camford so that they could find closure and finish that chapter of their life. I love how they stick together, even when they are scared out of their mind. They don't always agree, but their bonds are still strong. I love how real these characters are. It helps make the story feel a little more real too.

I really liked this one, maybe even a little better than the first.

I give this a 4.5 out of 5!

Book Blitz: Vision

Vision
by Lisa Amowitz
Release Date: 09/09/14
Spencer Hill Press
Summary from Goodreads:

The light is darker than
you think…

High school student Bobby Pendell already has his hands full—he works almost
every night to support his disabled-vet father and gifted little brother. Then
he meets the beautiful new girl in town, who just happens to be his boss’s
daughter. Bobby has rules about that kind of thing. Nothing matters more than
keeping his job.

When Bobby starts to get blinding migraines that come with scary, violent
hallucinations, his livelihood is on the line. Soon, he must face the stunning
possibility that the visions of murder are actually real. With his world going
dark, Bobby is set on the trail of the serial killer terrorizing his small
town. With everyone else convinced he’s the prime suspect, Bobby realizes that
he, or the girl he loves, might be killer's next victim.

Here's An Excerpt!

Suddenly, the café had become suffocating and Bobby felt the urge to run. Anywhere. But he wasn’t ready to go hanging around the laundromat and increase his odds of running into Gabe. Instead, he took a huge bite of sandwich to keep himself from blurting something rude.

Dana pulled the newspaper toward her, a cascade of stringy hair hanging in her face. Between the strands, Bobby could see her pouty lips move as she read. “My cousin Rosemarie knows this girl,” she said finally, her gaze still trained on the article. “And now the State Police have pulled Daddy into the case…whoops!” Dana clamped a hand to her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that. Daddy told me never to talk about official police business.”

Bobby leaned forward, angling the paper so he could look at it again. “Why? Is it a murder investigation now?”

“Let it go, Sherlock.” Coco said. “She said she can’t talk about it.”

Bobby rolled his eyes. “Figures. The one time Dana Barclay has something to say, she’s under a gag order.”

Dana’s eyes flashed to his, something cold and sharp behind the softness, like a needle tucked inside a cotton ball. “Why are you so interested, Bobby?”

“Why not? Nothing ever happens in Graxton.”

“You think a girl disappearing is cool?” Dana stared at him, the corners of her mouth tugged downward. It was a known fact that her father, Sheriff Barclay, hated Bobby’s dad. Chuck Barclay and Sam Pendell had been bitter rivals in high school, a feud that continued into their adult years. Somehow, Dad had always managed to keep a step ahead—until he landed in a wheelchair. Hate like that, Bobby thought, doesn’t just go away. It goes underground and festers, eventually seeping into everything.

Dana stood abruptly. “I have to go. Daddy’s picking me up in five. Movie night in Kingston.”

“Have fun,” Bobby said under his breath. Dana glared at him, face flushed, nostrils flared.

After Dana had left, Coco drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “What the hell was that? I know you two aren’t best friends, but can you at least try to be civil?”

“Sorry. I don’t know what’s got into me today.”

Coco frowned. “You sure you’re feeling okay? You look pale, like the skin on your ugly mug is pulled too tight around your skull.”

Bobby cleared his throat and wondered if the day’s strains showed that clearly on his face. “I’m fine. I was just curious, is all. It’s weird, isn’t it, that they’re keeping it all hush-hush? I wonder what’s really going on.”

Coco slanted his head, still gazing at Bobby with his piercing stare. Bobby knew the prospect of a riddle would be too tempting for his friend to pass up. But just why he was so curious, Bobby couldn’t begin to explain.

“I can ask him for you, if you like,” Coco said. “Barclay’s always tripping over himself to be nice to me. I’ll just kind of mention that Dana is upset by the whole thing. See if he bites and throws me some inside info.”

“No! I mean, never mind. I just thought, if you’d heard chatter…”

“So now I’m Homeland Security.” The glint in Coco’s eye was back and Bobby knew he was forgiven. Coco never stayed mad long.

Bobby threw a piece of lettuce at Coco’s head. A crust of bread sailed back at him. Pete started barking and then Aaron rushed over, picked up a napkin and put it over Coco’s eyes, yelling, “Pirate attack!”

Bobby laughed hard as the memory of their years of zaniness washed over him in a warm wave. He joined Aaron in the attack, and helped pull Coco from the chair to the floor. Pete got busy licking everyone, the three of them wrestling and laughing on the floor like puppies.

Jerry’s voice cut through the mayhem. “Excuse me, boys. We seem to have another customer.”

From the tangle of bodies, Bobby looked up. Arms folded, Gabe stood smirking from the doorway. In the confusion, he hadn’t heard the jangle of the door opening. “Looks like fun. Mind if I join in?”

Coco was on his feet in an instant and, smoothing his rumpled clothes, lunged toward her in a few long-legged strides.

“Welcome! Can I get you anything, madam?” He pulled out a chair at the nearest table and gestured toward it. “Please, have a seat! I’m Coco, otherwise known as James Woods, no relation to the actor of the same name.”



Gabe giggled. “Nice to meet you. I’m Gabriella. But call me Gabe.” Bobby sighed. It was no contest. He could never outshine Coco when it came to charm. In this case, maybe that was a good thing.


Available from:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo Books * The Book Depository

About the Author

Lisa has been a professor of Graphic Design at her beloved Bronx Community College where she has been tormenting and cajoling students for nearly seventeen years. She started writing eight years ago because she wanted something to illustrate, but somehow, instead ended up writing YA. Probably because her mind is too dark and twisted for small children.

BREAKING GLASS which will be released in July, 2013 from Spencer Hill Press, is her first published work. VISION, the first of the Finder series will be released in 2014, along with an unnamed sequel in the following year. LIFE AND BETH will also be released in the near future, along with graphic novel style art. 

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Goodreads│ Facebook



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Book Blitz Organized by:

Perfect for You: Release Day Book Blitz

Perfect for You
by Ashelyn Drake
Release Date: September 2014
Swoon Romance


Summary from Goodreads:


Seventeen-year-old Meg Flannigan isn’t very self-confident, but what girl would be after her sophomore-year boyfriend dumped her by making out with another girl in front of her locker?

Now a senior, Meg catches the eye of not one, but two gorgeous guys at school. Sounds good, right? What girl wouldn't want to be in Meg's shoes? One cute boy happens to be her boyfriend, and the other? Well, he wants to be. And Meg? She't torn between Ash, the boy she's been with for nearly five months, and Noah who is pretty irresistible.

But Meg is playing with fire. Pitting two boys against one another, even if she doesn't intend to, could end badly if she isn't careful. PERFECT FOR YOU is a teen romance from bestselling author Ashelyn Drake, where one girl will risk everything to find her perfect match.






Available from:

Here's an Excerpt!

I put the phone down and eat my cereal. Just as I take the last bite, my phone beeps with a message. I grab it, thinking Ash is taking a bathroom break.

Got plans for today?

It’s not Ash. I don’t recognize the number at all. I text back.

Who is this?

Guess.

Noah? No, he doesn’t have my number. My fingers hover over the keys, not knowing how to respond.

Noah: It’s Noah.

Why is Noah texting me? Sure we’ve been hanging out, but only at the courts. We’ve never called each other or anything.

Meg: How did you get my number?

Noah: I have my ways. How’s your head?

I haven’t even thought about it. My late night swim with Ash sort of cured all my ailments.

Meg: Better.

Noah: Good. Let’s go to the water park.

Is he asking me out? He knows I’m with Ash. I can explain being at the tennis courts with Noah since he’s the best player on the guys’ team, but going to a water park?

Noah: What, do you have plans already?

Yes, I do. Gray and I have to practice, and I promised Ash I would go watch the Football Challenge tonight.

Meg: Kind of.

Kind of? Why did I text that? What the hell is Noah doing to me? It’s like my brain shuts off when I talk to him.

Noah: Pick you up in twenty.

It isn’t a question. He’s not asking me to go out with him. He’s telling me he’s on his way to pick me up. On his way here. My house. My mind is mush right now. A week ago I didn’t think Noah knew my name. Now, he knows my cell number and where I live. How is this happening?

I snap out of my mind melt and realize I’m not dressed to go to a water park. I race back upstairs and throw on a bathing suit. Instantly, my late night swim with Ash comes to mind. I should text Noah and cancel. This is a huge mistake. Ash isn’t going to understand this. Grayson isn’t going to understand this. Hell, I don’t understand this. What is it about Noah that draws me in? There’s something there, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe if I can figure out what it is, I can actually be his friend and this stupid crush would go away.







About the Author


Ashelyn Drake is a New Adult and Young Adult romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Author Links:

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Grand Finale Blitz: Sci-Fi Tour!!

A Prism tour though Prism Book Tours.

Are you interested in reading about futuristic societies where there are aliens and space travel, technological advancement, robots and utopias? If so, then check out the books that were featured on this 

Sci-Fi Tour! 

September 2nd - Launch

September 3rd - Halfskin and Clay by Tony Bertauski hosted at Beck Valley Books

We’re often convinced if we just get this, whatever this is, our suffering will end. Yet with all of today’s advancements, why does utopia still seem to be something achievable only after death while dystopia our human inheritance?

Can technology change this?

Suppose that medical bioengineers invent a synthetic stem cell, a biomite, that can replace any cell in your body...

 

Halfskin

(Halfskin #1)

276 Pages

Biomites are artificial stem cells that can replace any cell in your body. No more kidney failure, no severed spines or blood disease. No cancer. Pharmaceuticals become obsolete. With each dose of biomites, we become stronger, we become smarter and prettier.



We become better.



At what point are we no longer human?

Amazon - Barnes and Noble

Clay

(Halfskin #2)

278 Pages

This psychological thriller will keep them second-guessing every move while they elude Marcus Anderson and the governing agency that seeks to rid the world of biomites. But in the end, they’ll all discover just how deep the betrayal goes.

Amazon - Barnes and Noble

Tony Bertauski: During the day, I'm a horticulturist. While I've spent much of my career designing landscapes or diagnosing dying plants, I've always been a storyteller. My writing career began with magazine columns, landscape design textbooks, and a gardening column at the Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). However, I've always fancied fiction.



And I'm a big fan of plot twists.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook

September 4th - The Glory by Mister JMI hosted at Nocturnal Predators Reviews

**Excerpt**

Prologue

In need of Glory 

Frustrated and embarrassed by its struggle to defeat the Tikal rebels, the United States Space Force dumped its resources into the development and construction of a new class of warship. After nine years of research and development, trial and error, the final product was beyond impressive. Integrating the bleeding-edge of current technologies and completely inventing new ones, the new warship was an absolute marvel. The ship was a perfect harmony of the highest levels of speed, agility, weaponry and defensive capabilities. The awe-inspiring warship was leaps ahead of everything else in the known universe...

The Glory

(The Glory #1)

579 Pages

The Glory and it is a fun, funny, exciting, character-driven sci-fi book that follows Adam Whitlock in his journey to join the United States Space Force in hopes of becoming captain of The Glory, the best ship in the fleet. Meanwhile, brewing tensions between the humans and a group of alien races is on the verge of becoming a full-scale war.

Amazon

Founder of Fictitious Fox Publishing, author of The Glory and owner of a sweet head of hair, Mister JMI is a longtime lover of the art of storytelling.

At the age of 12, Mister JMI knew he wanted to become a writer. Unfortunately, his dream was delayed for over a decade to suffering from a severe case of chronic procrastination. Now fully recovered, Mister JMI is ready to unleash a deluge of exciting, funny and fantastic stories for your entertainment.



So sit back, relax and enjoy.

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Would you like a receive a copy of The Glory? Send an email request to this email.

September 5th - Parched by Georgia Clark hosted at Mythical Books

How to Research A Sci-Fi Novel 

(if You Know Nothing About Robots) 

I did a ridiculous amount of research for my second novel, Parched. So much so that when compiling it all for this guest blog post for the Prism book tour, I found myself wondering 1. I am crazy and 2. If knowing it was going to take as much time as it did, if I’d do it all again. (Answers are ‘yes’ and ‘yes’).

My jumping off point for Parched was this: a girl in love with a robot. What did I know about robots? Well, I’d seen Bladerunner a few dozen times…

Parched

312 Pages

Robots, renewable resources, and romance get tangled together in this thrilling futuristic adventure novel about a utopian city struggling to keep its peace.

"Bold futurist adventure with unusual romance, riveting action and ominous ecological red flags." —Kirkus Reviews

Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Indie Bound

Georgia Clark is an Australian writer and performer based in Brooklyn. She is the author of the young adult novels SHE’S WITH THE BAND (Allen & Unwin) and sci-fi/romance PARCHED (Holiday House). Widely published online and in print. Won some awards/grants/residencies. Has a play on at the NY Fringe festival. Pretty keen on cheese plates. 

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter

Tour-Wide Giveaway

$15 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Ebooks of Halfskin and Clay (INT)

Signed copy of Parched (US Only)

Ends September 14th

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Emmalee: A Review

Goodreads (description):

Sometimes love is blind.

Emmalee Bradford thinks she’s an expert at matchmaking, and she won’t rest until all her friends are as happy as she is. Especially Hannah, the girl she’s decided to make popular. Everyone loves Emmalee's advice--everyone, that is, except her annoying neighbor Chase Anderson, who has taken it upon himself to "fix" her.

This modern version of Jane Austen’s Emma is the hilarious journey of a girl who believes she knows all about love. But when it comes to recognizing the perfect guy for her, Emmalee is absolutely clueless.





My Review:

Once again Jenni James has written another super cute and fast read contemporary Jane Austin!

In this one, we follow a girl named Emmalee. We see her a bit in Pride and Popularity, and I didn't particulary like her in that one. Honestly, I didn't really like her in this one.

But, let me explain.

I really like this story, because we get to see how Emmalee grows up. She goes through a series of events that make her realize that the way she is acting is really unacceptable. For her teenage years, after her mom remarried, she has grown up spoiled and rich, and has grown to be a bit snobbish. Or really, a lot snobbish. Not only that, but she thinks she is the perfect match maker, when really she sucks at it. It's kind of funny sometimes actually.

Anyway, she chooses a new best friend and who she is determined to make just like her, when really her new friend, Hannah, is indirectly teaching Emmalee how to not be so... clueless to other people's feelings. Emmalee's lifelong neighbor, Chase Anderson is also trying to do the same for her, just not as subtly. It's great.

Chase is my favorite in here. I love the relationship he has with his little sister. May I just say that it is always attractive when guys love their sisters and are nice with them? He was an instant like for me. Also, I loved how he would set Emmalee straight. He wouldn't let her talk bad about other people when he was around her. In fact, he had something nice to say about everyone, and did his best to help Emmalee see the good too.

One thing I really liked about Emmalee was that she didn't take any crap from anyone. When one of the guys started being rude to her, she was like, "oh heck no." I liked how she was independent and yes, she was reliable, if not all together nice about it.

I would like to think of this book as a coming of age book. Emmalee really discovers herself at the end, after a huge disaster. She matures a lot from the beginning of the book and I did like her in the end. I like the choice she made to change and try to be a better person. I also loved how despite her shortcomings, Chase stuck by her side and helped her all along the way. He was always there for her, since the beginning, because he could see the potential she had to be a good person. Amazing.

I give this a 4.5 out of 5!

Four: A Divergent Colelction: A Review

Goodreads (description):

Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.

Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future—and the future of the entire faction system.

Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth comes a companion volume to the worldwide bestselling divergent series, told from the per-spective of the immensely popular character Tobias. The four pieces included here—The Transfer, The Initiate, The Son, and The Traitor—plus three additional exclusive scenes, give readers an electrifying glimpse into the history and heart of Tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the Divergent trilogy.

My Review:

Four is a collection of novellas featured from Tobias Eaton aka Four's POV from the Divergent trilogy.

When I got this book, I realized that I already had read the first novella: The Transfer. This one was great, as it shows is Four's bravery on breaking free of his childhood and choosing Dauntless over his old faction, Abnegation.

The next novella: The Initiate, takes us on the tour of how Four became the highest scoring and well liked new kid. I was really surprised at how well liked he ended up being, considered how closed up he is in the actual Divergent series. A lot of the Dauntless like him a lot more than his rival and now a Dauntless leader, Eric. I also loved how we get to see that Four has known his world was crumbling since the beginning. Four is no fool, and his suspicions always seem to come out correct.

The third novella: The Son, was not what I was expecting. A few things happened in there that I was like... woah. Crazy. The first three novellas are before Tris is in the picture, so we learn a lot about the goings on in Dauntless before she even gets there. We see a lot of intrigue and conspiracy going on and how Four is trying to figure out the right thing to do. It's quite interesting to see how he handles the information he is able to glean from his not-so-subtle spying.

The fourth novella: The Traitor, shows us the decision that Four makes with the information he has. This is also where Four shows Tris his fears. It is through her strength and inspiration that Four finally has his epiphany. Granted, I always thought they were good for each other, for they were always helping each other to do what is right. And after I read this, that thought was reinforced. Four did what he could to help save his old faction, and why the attack still comes is not his fault. He did what he could, but the jerk-face who he warned didn't believe him. I was mad, but not all that surprised. I'm sure you can guess who he told, but I won't say it for spoilers sake.

Anyway, the little clips at the end were a fun way to end this book. There are three super short scenes from the Divergent book that are from Four's POV. It was really fun to see what he did and how he thought. I know Allegiant is partly in his POV, but he was also really weird in that one. Too indecisive, until the end. Now that I've read what he was like in the beginning and am able to compare it to the series, it makes me like Four a whole lot more than before. He's awesome.

All in all I give this a 4.5 out of 5!

The Hangman's Revolution: A Review

Goodreads (description):

Young FBI agent Chevie Savano arrives back in modern-day London after a time-trip to the Victorian age, to find the present very different from the one she left. Europe is being run by a Facsist movement known as the Boxites, who control their territory through intimidation and terror. Chevie's memories come back to her in fragments, and just as she is learning about the WARP program from Professor Charles Smart, inventor of the time machine, he is killed by secret service police. Now they are after Chevie, too, but she escapes--into the past. She finds Riley, who is being pursued by futuristic soldiers, and saves him. Working together again, it is up to Chevie and Riley to find the enigmatic Colonel Clayton Box, who is intent on escalating his power, and stop him before he can launch missiles at the capitals of Europe.

My Review:

Well, I can honestly say that this one was FAR better than the first! There was still POV jumping, but it wasn't as disorganized like the first one. It was clearer and easier to follow. I even enjoyed seeing beyond Chevron and Riley's POV.

Also, because we get to see so much from the bad guy's POV--who is trying to conquer the earth--I am convinced that if Eoin Colfer really wanted to, he could rule the world.

Seeing this book from all points of view created a huge sense of dramatic irony. I have a love hate relationship with dramatic irony. It makes me want to jump into the book and just tell the characters everything that is going on, so that I can save them from all the crap that they go through. Meaning, that it really kept me hooked in this one.

In this one, Chevron's future is changed and we see her struggle with two personalities. It's actually kind of humorous and sad to read about. Then she is thrown back into the past where her original personality takes over--though her new one hasn't entirely disappeared--and she is reunited with Riley. I began to actually like her in this one. Not that I didn't in the first, I really should say that I began to connect with her. She is simply a orphaned teenager trying to do what's right, and she's fighting against huge government traitors in order to do so.

I actually began to love Riley in this one. He's so cute and freaking clever. He's a magician/assassin assistant, thanks to his old mentor Albert Garrick. Yet, he uses the skills that psycho maniac taught him for good. He remained strong, despite the evils that Garrick did to him, and fights for the good guys. I think that's awesome. Plus, he owns his own theater and he's only fourteen. He is wickedly good at his magic tricks which always help him get out of tricky situations, even when he's fighting against futuristic technology.

There are several surprising allies in this one. I can honestly say that I didn't see them coming. I only saw one, but Colfer was subtle enough about it that I was slightly unsure as to which way this character would fall.

There was one thing I found a bit disturbing, but it fit along with the characters and why they did what they did. The bad guy in this one twists religion in a way that makes him look like a god. The Bible is even quoted and references to Stalin and Hitler, about how they twisted religion to get people to follow them, are even compared in there. It made me shiver and want to to curl in a ball. I am a religious person, so seeing religion twisted in this evil way made me shudder. We saw into the minds of the brainwashed followers, they one-track mind they had. Freaky. Totally, and absolutely creepy. Yet, that's how it happens in the real world, and Colfer caught that scariness perfectly.

I really liked this one, a whole lot better than the first. It was cleverer, funnier, more intense, and simply a great ride. I'm glad that I stuck with this series!

I give this a 4.5 out of 5!