Thursday, May 30, 2013

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Exposed" by Laura Griffin



SUMMARY from GOODREADS: 
With the click of her camera, Maddie Callahan inadvertently added herself to the hit list of a criminal mastermind the FBI’s been investigating for months. Agent Brian Beckmann is determined to protect the sexy photographer, but she may be his only lead.

As a forensic photographer, Maddie is used to seeing violence up close, but she’s never before been a target. When a freelance photo shoot goes awry, she realizes she may have seen, and perhaps photographed, the kidnapping of a key witness in a federal probe. And although her camera was stolen, Maddie has something that could be even more valuable to investigators. With the help of her colleagues at the Tracers crime lab, Maddie uncovers DNA evidence that provides a desperately needed break in the case.

Although Brian is reluctant to involve Maddie, she’s determined to help with the investigation and the two set out to track a vicious criminal known as The Doctor, whose far-reaching violence has led to multiple deaths. But as the task force gets closer to catching the deadly Doctor, Maddie is in more danger than ever.

REVIEW:  
There is a certain kind of straightforwardness to Laura Griffin's writing. As reader, you know you will be entertained by her books even if they are not overly complicated. 

Maddie Callahan is just surviving.  After a tragedy in her past, she is hunkering down and "getting through it" by burying herself in work and not getting involved with anything or anyone.  Brian Beckman is a younger FBI Agent on the biggest case of his life, losing an important witness to the activities of a infamous criminal while protecting her.  As they cross paths, their relationship builds and lights up.  I like the chemistry of characters.  It simmers along. This is not a book about a flaming inferno of emotions, but because of Maddie's reservations, it's a slow, steady build.  

The topic is contemporary and interesting.  Laura Griffin's books in her Tracer series are like episodes of Bones - educational, fascinating, and relevant. I appreciate her understanding of little law enforcement nuances such as "...hearing about it rekindled a deep rooted fear that every first responder had and no one wanted to talk about.  Everyone dreaded the prospect of being summoned to a scene to help a victim and then become one." With small insights like this, she gives us a greater awareness and appreciation for first responders which add context and credibility to her stories.  She understands her audience and really delivers.

IN A NUTSHELL:
If you like Laura Griffin's series, you will not be disappointed.  

Thank you to Pocket Books and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

SUSAN: BOOK REVIEW "Imaginary" by Jamie Sullivan

I love this cover so much!!!! I want to hug it forever!!!

SUMMARY:
Aaron is a lonely, unloved boy when he first meets James. Their friendship seems like a dream come true—or perhaps just a dream, because no one else can see or hear James. Aaron stubbornly clings to his new friend, however, even when the friendship makes him an object of scorn and ridicule. No matter the years that pass, or the challenges they face, Aaron refuses to give up on his best friend—but life might just find a way to take James from him anyway.

REVIEW:
This book made me sad . I don’t think that was quite the intention. But, it just did. I probably shed more tears than the author ever planned on for a reader. 

I don’t like reading about 5 year old boys who are lonely and don’t have friends. It breaks my heart in ways hearts shouldn’t be broken. And any story about a young kid who is unloved in the foster system…well…I can’t even express how much that kills me…

Personal issues aside…

Aaron is a 5 year old who stumbles upon a new friend, James. For 10 years they grow closer, even though Aaron comes to find that no one else can see James and lest he get picked on, teased, and called crazy any more than he had, he keeps James secret. He also falls in love with him.

The relationship between Aaron and James is childlike and innocent and sweet. What they provide for each other is what you’d want for anyone – companionship, complete trust, family, love. But, of course, I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Is James really “imaginary”…or is there something more to his story?

I loved Aaron and James. I loved that they had each other in their lives. I loved that Aaron, despite growing up, would never let go of James as his friend, imaginary or not. I loved James’ complete devotion to Aaron. I even kinda loved the plot twist and the big reveal.

I didn’t love the 3 years between 15-18. I don't buy the explanation there. And I didn’t love the ending – and though I love a package wrapped up all nice and tidy, this one just didn’t jive…

IN A NUTSHELL: 
I can’t imagine reco’ing this to many of my friends. It reads more like a children’s book than even YA. But, I really enjoyed it's sweetness… 

Monday, May 27, 2013

SUNNY: BOOK RELEASE DAY BLITZ "Avenging Angel" by Cynthia Eden


Thank you for joining us to celebrate the release of Avenging Angel, book 4 in Cynthia Eden's The Fallen series. Learn about the book, meet the author and enjoy an excerpt. 


About the book: 

EARTHLY DELIGHTS
With a messed up family background and a tendency to grow claws and fangs, Tanner Chance isn’t exactly the boy next door. But he’s a decent cop, and he keeps himself on the side of the good guys. Convenient, because when he rescues a survivor of a horrific shifter attack he finds himself instantly smitten—with an honest-to-goodness angel, as innocent as she is irresistible.
Marna may be angelic, but she’s not stupid or weak. She can take care of herself. Tanner is more temptation than protection anyway. Or so she thinks, until someone wearing her face starts taking out some of New Orleans’ more unsavory paranormals. With police and predators both gunning for her blood, Marna has no choice but to trust Tanner…even though what’s sparking between them is hotter than anything holy. 

Find it at: 
GoodreadsAmazon B&N Books A MillionIndieBound




Meet the Author

USA Today Best-selling author Cynthia Eden has written over twenty-five novels and novellas. She was named as a 2013 RITA® finalist for her paranormal romance, ANGEL IN CHAINS, and, in 2011, Cynthia Eden was a RITA finalist for her romantic suspense, DEADLY FEAR.
Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings.  She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters–vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters that populate her romantic suspense stories.

Cynthia’s foreign sales for her books include translations to Japan, Germany, Thailand, Greece, and Brazil.
(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people).  Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories.

Author LInks:  WebsiteTwitter FacebookGoodreads


The delicate angel had broken.
Did she even realize that tears slid down her cheeks? Tanner Chance kept guard by her side. His hand was on her arm, stroking her.
He couldn’t seem to stop touching her.
They’d found her body in the swamp. At first, he’d thought that she was already dead.
So much blood.
Then she’d moved, and he’d realized just what his sick freak of a brother had done.
Sliced the wings right off an angel.
Her lashes lifted and her eyes, the palest blue he’d ever seen, locked right on him. No, those eyes seemed to see right through him. Tanner cleared his throat. He was a cop. He’d spent too many years seeing blank expressions like that on the faces of victims. “You…you’re safe now.” He’d keep her safe. “You just need to rest.”
She didn’t speak, and he didn’t know what else he was supposed to say to her. He never knew what to say to the victims. He just knew how to make the bastards who hurt them pay.
He was very good at delivering justice. But this time…
An angel.
She had to hate him. She knew who he was. Knew that his brother was the fucked-up asshole who’d tortured her. Tanner cleared his throat and finally managed to tell her, “I’m not like him.”
Her eyes never left his.
And he was still touching her. Her skin was the softest he’d ever felt. The smoothest. Her flesh was golden and perfect.
Or, it had been, until claws had ripped into her back and torn that flesh wide open.
Her breath exhaled softly. “When I’m stronger…”
Tanner leaned closer because he could barely hear her words. “What is it? What do you need?” Anything. He’d do—
“When I’m stronger, you should…stay away from me.”
He glanced at her small hands. They’d had to bind her wrists when they strapped her down. Not to hurt her, but to keep the little blond angel from hurting them.
The angel before him—Marna—she wasn’t some sweet and gentle guardian angel.
She was an angel of death. One who could, and had, killed with just a touch.
He could touch her all that he wanted. That was the way the game worked with angels. But the instant her hand touched him…
Dead.
If she wanted him dead, all she had to do was touch him, and she could send him straight to hell.
She smiled at him. The smile made her seem even lovelier and then the angel said, “When I’m stronger, when I’m free…get as far away from me as you can.” The faintest of pauses then, “Because I’ll have my vengeance.”
She didn’t look so broken anymore.
“Remember…to run, shifter.”
He didn’t move, and he damn well kept touching her. “I’m not the running kind.” Not anymore. The scared kid he’d been had died long ago. Now he fought any bastard who came his way—and he made sure to win his battles.
His angel kept her cold smile and told him, “Wait and see…you will be…”
The delicate angel had broken.
Did she even realize that tears slid down her cheeks? Tanner Chance kept guard by her side. His hand was on her arm, stroking her.
He couldn’t seem to stop touching her.
They’d found her body in the swamp. At first, he’d thought that she was already dead.
So much blood.
Then she’d moved, and he’d realized just what his sick freak of a brother had done.
Sliced the wings right off an angel.
Her lashes lifted and her eyes, the palest blue he’d ever seen, locked right on him. No, those eyes seemed to see right through him. Tanner cleared his throat. He was a cop. He’d spent too many years seeing blank expressions like that on the faces of victims. “You…you’re safe now.” He’d keep her safe. “You just need to rest.”
She didn’t speak, and he didn’t know what else he was supposed to say to her. He never knew what to say to the victims. He just knew how to make the bastards who hurt them pay.
He was very good at delivering justice. But this time…
An angel.
She had to hate him. She knew who he was. Knew that his brother was the fucked-up asshole who’d tortured her. Tanner cleared his throat and finally managed to tell her, “I’m not like him.”
Her eyes never left his.
And he was still touching her. Her skin was the softest he’d ever felt. The smoothest. Her flesh was golden and perfect.
Or, it had been, until claws had ripped into her back and torn that flesh wide open.
Her breath exhaled softly. “When I’m stronger…”
Tanner leaned closer because he could barely hear her words. “What is it? What do you need?” Anything. He’d do—
“When I’m stronger, you should…stay away from me.”
He glanced at her small hands. They’d had to bind her wrists when they strapped her down. Not to hurt her, but to keep the little blond angel from hurting them.
The angel before him—Marna—she wasn’t some sweet and gentle guardian angel.
She was an angel of death. One who could, and had, killed with just a touch.
He could touch her all that he wanted. That was the way the game worked with angels. But the instant her hand touched him…
Dead.
If she wanted him dead, all she had to do was touch him, and she could send him straight to hell.
She smiled at him. The smile made her seem even lovelier and then the angel said, “When I’m stronger, when I’m free…get as far away from me as you can.” The faintest of pauses then, “Because I’ll have my vengeance.”
She didn’t look so broken anymore.
“Remember…to run, shifter.”
He didn’t move, and he damn well kept touching her. “I’m not the running kind.” Not anymore. The scared kid he’d been had died long ago. Now he fought any bastard who came his way—and he made sure to win his battles.
His angel kept her cold smile and told him, “Wait and see…you will be…”