Views from the Depths

Views from the Depths
Jessica Grey
Tall House Books, 2013

I'm a bit of a Jessica Grey fangirl. Aside from the fact we're self-appointed, long-lost sisters, she has a knack for storytelling that keeps me spellbound. As with her previous collection of fairy tale shorts, Grey has taken familiar, beloved fairy tales and turned them inside out. Unlike Views from the Tower however, Views from the Depths has a dark edge to its tales.

Grey has delved deep into the psyche of pivotal characters in four classic tales (The Little Mermaid; Snow White; Twelve Dancing Princesses; and Beauty and the Beast), finding answers to the questions you didn't know you needed to ask. These deeply personal glimpses reveal the truth behind the sparkling glass dome of "happily ever after" ... They're darker, at times almost unnerving, but never overwhelming. Never too dark. There's always a whisper of hope -- a shimmer of light peeking around the corner, reminding you that the story isn't over yet.

Also, her "Beauty and the Beast"? Ah-mazing.

eARC provided by author for review.

Lying to Meet You

Lying to Meet You
Anna Garner
2013

Is it easier to meet people if you're already in a relationship, than when you are single? It's a question Chloe and lifelong pal Ethan debate, and decide to put to test. The theory is that by pretending to be in a relationship with each other (top secret, nobody is allowed to know it's all a front!), they will each be able to meet and attract potential romantic partners. Crazy and complicated, I know, but also somewhat hilarious. Once the "relationship" starts, Chloe's already busy life gets even more packed: between dates with Ethan, cooking classes with her best friends, and filming a reality show -- not to mention designing and planning the next seasons' lines for her clothing boutique -- Chloe's life is hectic. But it's also awesome: her boutique is doing well and promising much for the future; she's having more fun hanging out with Ethan than she expected; and she's met her Mr. Maybe -- a fellow judge on the reality show. As the fall spins into the holidays, everything seems to be playing out perfectly, especially when Chloe realizes that hottie judge William Shannon appears to be very interested in her. For all intents and purposes, it appears that Chloe is about to get everything she ever wanted. Or is she?

This was a fun, fast read. Chloe is a character you want to cheer for, and Ethan is the perfect best bud. Chemistry sparks, tension builds, characters surprise you -- it's got everything! The only "eh" moment for me was how fast everything ended. It felt like things almost got wrapped up too fast, but maybe that's just me. Regardless, it's a fun chick lit read.

eARC provided by author for review.

Atone

Atone
Jessica Grey
Tall House Books, 2013

I'm going to try very, very hard not to have this review be Exhibit A of Fangirl vs. Sensible Thought. But I can't make any promises. Every time I read this story (I had the extreme honor of being a beta reader), I fall a little harder in love with it ... with the characters, with the setting, with the very story itself. What is Atone, you ask? It's the sorta-sequel to Awake, in that it picks up several years later and features many of the same issues and people. But it's Becca's time to sparkle, and her story is a reimagining of "Beauty and the Beast" -- set in Grey's beloved [contemporary] Los Angeles. There's so much more to this retelling though ... In fact, there's so much of Atone that you've simply got to experience for yourself, that maybe I will indulge in a little fangirling after all.

If you read Awake, you're familiar with both the magical connection existing between Becca, Alex and Lilia, and the ... "interest" that former supervisor Nicholas Hunt has in that magic. You also know that there is no love lost between Nicholas and Becca. At all. So you're probably going to be as surprised as Becca was to find out she's his emergency contact; and then to realize she actually does care about his fate once she discovers him. As I said, it's "Beauty and the Beast," so you know in your head what's going to happen. But that doesn't take away from the reading -- Becca and Nicholas have so much animosity: extreme passions, just waiting to shift from one bent to another. As a beast, Nicholas is ... well, in a word: amazing. (I may or may not have left a lot of "wolf whistle" comments while beta reading). He's fierce and conflicted, and he develops so much as a character. As does Becca, who has to deal with not only the Becca-Nicholas/Fae-Beast dynamic, but also recognize and address her own issues. She's kickass, but she's a teensy bit flawed. Which is why we love her.

The way things play out, in terms of pacing, is quick. But with such powerful magic at work, you expect quick. Quick makes sense. Plus, you really want to get to the ending. Oh man, the ending. It is incredible. And there's just a lingering sense of what is to come in the next novel, which will be Lilia's story. Good times, people. Good times. And definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.

eARC provided by author for review.

Double Click

 Double Click
Lisa Becker
2013

Remember the crazy adventures of Renee and her friends, told through emails (yay for modern epistolary novels!), in Click? Well, Becker has picked up where she left off and continues the saga. The drama. The mysteries. The surprises!

All our familiar character friends have returned, with a new addition (or two) to keep things interesting. Renee is still the peacemaker/center of this zany circle, and I really enjoy her as a character. Ashley and Shelley continue their barbed camaraderie and Mark seems to have met The One. But underneath and interwoven with all the friendly chatter (or catty gossip) that is exchanged virtually during work days and late nights, there are separate lives taking place. Moreso than in Click (to me, anyway), we get a better sense of the characters as individuals. They have ups and downs and secrets (oh, the secrets!) and even though it's obvious they're a super close-knit circle of friends, they're not together 24/7. And it's okay. It's healthy. Life is a personal adventure, and while our friends share it, they can't live our life and their own. (I apologize for that philosophical interjection in the review of a delightful fun read, but it seemed right, teehee).

A fun, quick read and a great follow up to Click, tying up loose ends and carrying the story forward. I did get slightly confused at points keeping up with who was emailing whom about what, but it's possibly a result of reading while slightly distracted at times (and it was never too hard to get my brain straight again).

eBook provided by author for review.

The Karmic Connection

The Karmic Connection
Libby Mercer
2013

The author of Unmasking Maya is back with another fun, fast "rom com"-esque read that will have you chuckling and sighing by spells. Our two main characters, Adam and Lorraine, are as different as night and day, and when their paths cross at Luna Wellness Center -- well, sparks fly, to say the least.

Adam is an intense, highly-focused (*cough*workaholic*cough*) young professional, who finds himself the unwitting victim of a forced vacation/retreat at Luna Wellness Center. Luna, a holistic wellness retreat center way, way out in the sticks, is the last place Adam wants to be. He's stripped of phone, internet, computer and all work-related privileges, and is forced to keep company with a wide variety of colorful "hippie" characters. And then there's Lorraine. Beautiful, intelligent Lorraine who, though she be the yoga instructor and key assistant in running Luna, is enough to make Adam's heart race out of control. Lorraine has her own story to tell, and a past that threatens to break through her new relaxed control every time she clashes with Adam. Especially once those clashes become more electric than antagonistic. As a result of their forced interaction, each has to come to terms with the ghosts long hidden away, and realize that maybe - just maybe - it's time to move forward. Healthily.

This was such a fun read. Adam and Lorraine are great characters, and their interactions have major chemistry. I chuckled to myself reading several times, and the cast of secondary characters add so much flavor and color to the story. We're introduced to Adam and Lorraine in layers, gradually working down through the outward appearances to get to their cores. It's a wonderful process, and feels very realistic, in terms of getting to know someone (even if they are on the page - or my Kindle screen). And Adam is quite the hero, he'd transfer beautifully to the screen if this is ever adapted into a rom com. Just sayin'.

eARC provided by author for review.

Cover Reveal: Atone

Oh goodness, you guys. Today I am absolutely stoked to be part of the cover reveal tour (organized by Xpresso Book Tours) for Jessica Grey's next book!

You may remember that I've read each of her previous three releases, and I'll let you in on a secret: I beta read the manuscript for Atone as well. Let me tell you: this story is ah-mazing. I may never be the same again.

Read on for the official blurb, all the good links, and the cover. Oh, the cover.

Atone: A Fairytale  by Jessica Grey
Series: A Fairytale Trilogy #2
Publication date: Late June 2013
Genre: YA Fairytale Fantasy

Synopsis:

Becca Ward knows that magic is real...

Two years ago not only had she and her best friend Alex found a real-life Sleeping Beauty in the middle of Los Angeles, they also discovered that they were powerful in their own right. They’ve managed to keep both their fae powers and their friend Lilia’s identity as a medieval princess a secret and live a normal life. Now their normalcy is threatened by the return of their former advisor at the Gem and Mineral Museum—and Becca’s least favorite person, Nicholas Hunt.

...and she’s about to find out that more than one fairy tale is true.

Nicholas has been obsessed with proving Lilia’s identity and the existence of magic. While working on an archeology dig he discovered an ancient fae artifact—a mirror that is imbued with a powerful protection spell that twists his obsession, and his body, until he is more beast than man. In order to protect her friends, Becca is forced to help him, and she is surprised to find that in spite of his outward appearance, Nicholas is no longer the beast she remembers. Will she let herself be the beauty that breaks the curse, or will she let her prejudice against him stop her from discovering true love?

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17972578-atone 

AUTHOR BIO

Jessica Grey is an author, fairytale believer, baseball lover, and recovering Star Wars fangirl. A life-long Californian, she now lives in Montana with her husband and two children where she spends her time writing, perfecting the fine art of toddler-wrangling, and drinking way too much caffeine.

Author Links:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

At Fault

At Fault
JW Becton
Whiteley Press, 2013

As with the previous installments in her Southern Fraud Thriller series, Becton has managed to write a mystery that not only holds my interest but keeps me guessing the whole time. Julia and Vincent are back together again, following Vincent's recovery from the shooting at the end of Death Benefits, and working on a straight-up insurance fraud ring case. So they think. The scope of the investigation quickly increases, as more and more suspects are added to the list, and it would appear that the "simple fraud ring" is a much bigger operation. When the young daughter of the doctor who tipped off the DOI is abducted, things get really crazy. And if you've read the other two Southern Fraud books, you know that crazy is definitely ... crazy.

Not only is At Fault a riveting mystery in its own right, but Julia's personal investigation into her sister's rape is finally reaching an "end," which opens a new set of worries and distractions. And, of course, there's Vincent. There's no denying there is some major chemistry between the two - we readers have seen it from the beginning - and they finally start to acknowledge it themselves. Swoon. Sigh. Becton builds chemistry and tension masterfully, being real without being lurid. And, thankfully, the crimes in At Fault are not as ... creepy ... as previous incidents have been. (Woman has skillz, people). There is more cursing than before (which in and of itself doesn't bug me too much, since I'd probably swear myself in the context), but Becton has acknowledged this and is retrofitting At Fault to match the standard set in Absolute Liability. All in all, a great next installment to the series, and I'm officially a fan. Which is, you know, saying a lot since it's a mystery series.

eARC provided by author for review.

Never Gone

Never Gone
Laurel Garver
2012

When her father dies following a lengthy battle to recover from a horrific accident, Dani is understandably distraught. Struggling to deal with her grief, and desperately missing her most understanding parental figure, Dani is shocked to discover that she can see her father. She thinks. After the first unsettling encounter, she begins to hope that maybe - just maybe - he's not really gone after all, and can help her sort through the family mysteries coming to light.

Never Gone deals with some pretty tough, raw, gritty emotions. Dani's grief over her father's unexpected death is compounded by the frustration she feels from trying (and failing) to communicate with her mother. She doesn't know what to do with all the hurt, nor how to handle the surprising secrets about her family history that are coming to light. To top it all off, she's been sent to Dad's hometown in ENGLAND?, where everyone's memories of him are crowding in and seeming to come to life. But Dani has a surprising source of strength and support in this, and his name is Theo. His gentle persistence, and keen perceptions, help Dani see things in a different light -- she even learns to see Theo in a different light. A story of redemption, of hope in the face of intense sorrow, and of great personal growth, Never Gone is a touching read.

eBook provided by author for review.

Attempting Elizabeth

Attempting Elizabeth
Jessica Grey
Tall House Books, 2013

Raise your hand if you've ever wished you could meet Mr. Darcy. Not just "a Mr. Darcy," but the Mr. Darcy. (I really hope I'm not the only one with my hand up...) Forget, for a moment, that he's just an epic, dashingly broody and romantic hero in literature. Forget about the small detail that Mr. Darcy - and Elizabeth, Bingley, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine - exist only because one Jane Austen had the incredible genius to dream them up. And imagine, if you will, that it's somehow possible to live their story. Mmhmm, you know what I mean. And Jessica Grey (whose forays into the fairy tale realm have kept me giddy) offers us a winning heroine - Kelsey - who manages to jump into Pride and Prejudice. Talk about living the dream ...

Not everything is picture perfect for Kelsey though, especially when she first realizes she's in the book. No matter which character she gets tossed into (the first is Georgiana), Kelsey has to "perform" true to the book's pattern -- or else she has to repeat the scene over and over again. And yet, as she learns to navigate the finer art of book-jumping, Kelsey is drawn to the concept again and again. The ultimate goal: becoming Elizabeth, and thus gaining Mr. Darcy. Because let's face it: in the real world, Kelsey's life seems comically awry. What she doesn't realize is that her experiences in the book are helping her get a better handle on reality. So when her real-world misadventures collide with the book - well, let's just say it's the ultimate reality check. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself).

Not only is the story itself fascinating and addicting, but Jessica does such an amazing job of working in geeky references. I was beside myself. Kelsey is the ultimate geeky fangirl, and I was able to identify with her on. all. the. things. Truly awesome. Plus, it's just too much fun to read an Austenesque novel that has Star Wars commentary. I mean, seriously. Tell me that's not awesome.

eARC provided by author for review.

Loving Miss Darcy

Loving Miss Darcy
Nancy Kelley
Smokey Rose Press, 2013

Remember the totally awesome Austenesque novel, His Good Opinion, that told us Darcy's side of the story? And remember how throughout that novel, you picked up on threads of something rather interesting as relates to Colonel Fitzwilliam? Well, Nancy Kelley had mercy on us and told his story. Although it's also Georgiana's story. And, curses, it also sets us up for another waiting-interval, until someone else's story is ready for the world. (Don't you hate when an author creates characters you don't want to leave?)

Loving Miss Darcy picks up a bit after His Good Opinion ends -- the Darcys are happily ensconced in married life at Pemberley, and Georgiana has blossomed into a glowing young lady ready for her Season. Col. Fitzwilliam - Richard - and Darcy are uncertain about their personal preparedness for said Season, but enter into the planning with all the good interfering intentions of proper guardians. Georgiana herself is nervous and anxious about the Season, but having Kitty Bennett along for the adventure helps. Things seem to be settling into a happy - and successful - pattern, especially once Georgiana realizes she doesn't have to marry any of the young men she meets: her brother will allow her to follow her heart in this case. Meanwhile, as the parties and gaiety continue, both Richard and Georgiana start to uncover the hidden truths behind their reluctance and resistance to the changes wrought by the Season. And then the real intrigue starts, and all is placed in great risk by a circulating rumor. But who has such a malicious intent to ruin not only Georgiana Darcy, but also to injure her guardians? Who indeed ... Did not expect that little plot twist!

A quick, delightful read that feels "true to Jane" in continuing the story of some of literature's most beloved characters, Loving Miss Darcy was thoroughly satisfying. Minus the whole "now I have to wait to find out about [female character] and [male character]"-bit. I have it on good authority however, that Nancy is working on the next installment, and it promises to be worth the wait. (If you really want to know, you can check out her website. But it's more fun if you read the existing books first and then indulge your curiosity).

eARC provided by author for review.

Cover Blast: Their Promise

Ren, over at Ren's Rambles, put out a call for volunteers to join in a mega cover blast for a book that definitely caught my eye ... And so, behold all the goodness.

One moment can change your life.
One moment to find love.
One moment to lose it.

Hannah Dewmont and Chase Harper are the perfect pair. With their lives intertwined since childhood and their love in full bloom, it seems only natural that they'd make plans for a future together. A future that includes promises... promises that will prove impossible to keep.

Interested? For a limited time (definitely today and tomorrow, not sure how much longer), Their Promise is available for only 99-cents! Sounds like a great little Valentine's gift for yourself, no? 
And for your convenience, here's the links for purchase:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Their-Promise-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B008YKNU0U

 B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/their-promise-brina-courtney/1112678108

About the author:

Brina Courtney is a young  adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies.  She's spent the last few years as a beauty queen and elementary teacher.  She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very  loud, small dogs.

For more information on Brina, you can connect with her here:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/brinacourtney

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brina-Courtney/270546116309774

Website/Blog - http://www.brinacourtney.com/

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5295520.Brina_Courtney

Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue
Lisa Maliga
2012

When a young woman from a quiet Midwestern towns saves for years to leave behind her job and humdrum existence to chase a dream across The Pond, you know you have good story fodder on your hands. Especially when the dream being chased is a famous (infamous?) actor - whose handsome face and dreamy voice rescued her from a teenage slump and inspired an all-consuming passion. That the woman meets the actor, coming face to face with her desired idol, is expected. What happens next? Not quite.

Out of the Blue traces the journey of Sylvia Gardner, a young woman from Illinois who risks everything to track down Alexander Thorpe in an out-of-the-way town in England. The premise is an intriguing one, but the novel itself wasn't all I hoped it'd be. I had a hard time connecting with Sylvia -- truthfully, I wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled and she woke up. Towards the end, I liked her better, she had more presence as a person and character. But that didn't come until really close to the end, and for the bulk of the read she frustrated me. Alexander also changes from the beginning to the end, though his 'journey' of transformation is not as documented nor understood. We get to know their flawed selves so well (too well?) at the beginning, so at the end, when they realize they've changed it's a bit abrupt. I did find myself liking the side characters, especially Phoebe, and would have liked to see them play a bigger role in the story. I think they could have helped flesh out the process, and sped the tempo up a bit.

While Out of the Blue wasn't quite for me, if it intrigues you - give a go! We all have different tastes, and that's what makes the reading world so fun. If you read it, let me know what you think -- maybe you'll pick up on something I missed.

eARC provided by author for review.

Unmasking Maya

Unmasking Maya
Libby Mercer
2012

Maya Kirkwood is the hot new artist whose work with textiles mimics high fashion on a canvas. But she's a mystery - an unknown - never available for the media, represented by an agent, and living in a tiny San Franciscan apartment. Until she lands a commission from a hotshot CEO of a software company in Silicon Valley. Working with left-brained Derek is a challenge for Maya on both personal and professional levels. Especially once secrets and shadows of the past start creeping into her carefully established present. But Derek has secrets of his own, and Maya is unknowingly causing him to face his demons.

I loved the chemistry between Maya and Derek. Maya's a fun, breezy character - and I like that her past is hinted at, and then naturally spins out. I was curious, but didn't feel like I was being led on or taunted. She's a character I can relate to, and her perspective on the 'nerds' working in Silicon Valley? Priceless. I was laughing out loud a few times. And the descriptions of Maya's art and supplies? Mmm, I had a few high fashion daydreams there ... Never a bad thing, you know. All in all, this is a fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed. A beautifully timed story of personal development, conquering the past, and falling in love with the present.

eARC provided by author for review.

Views from the Tower

Views from the Tower
Jessica Grey
Tall House Books, 2012

Remember my friend Jessica, and her totally awesome debut Awake which sets 'Sleeping Beauty' in modern Los Angeles with a huge twist? Well, in addition to working on the "sequel" to Awake, and a really awesome Austenesque novel, she has written a collection of fairy tale shorts. Thus Views from the Tower (and that amazing cover!): a selection of fairy tales re-imagined. Some are flash fiction - which is new to me, but totally fun - and others are longer, more along the lines of a traditional short story. All are delightful, impressive, and quite honestly far too short. (Maybe I'm a fairy tale junkie -- I just can't get enough!)

A few of my favorites, to whet your appetite for a bit of fun fairy tale reading, to offer a bit of post-holiday sparkle, as winter settles in for a long stay ...

In Her Service: Okay, so maybe I'm a sucker for frog prince-type stories. And I'm definitely a sucker for snark. And we all know about the Regency/Austenesque fascination. Combine all three, and you get an amazing story that had me chuckling and wishing for more-much-more!

Red: Fractured fairy tale on a new level, and with just enough creepy to make you shiver. Jessica has taken "Red Riding Hood" to a new place (without making it freaky-creepy)!

Mountain Rose: You've heard of "Snow White and Rose Red"? This is that story. And it ranks among my favorites because it features an enchanted hero -- in the form of a bear. I have a thing for bear princes. And this one is beautifully written.

Chasing Storms: Not a fairy tale I recognize, but it's a beautiful story. The dragon, the flight, the storm. This one just snuck into my psyche and stole my imagination.

Trust me, this whole collection of stories is amazing - and as short stories, they're easy reads. I can't wait to see what other fairy tale goodness Jessica has up her sleeve.

eARC provided by author for review.

Protecting Truth

Protecting Truth
Michelle Warren
2012

In the much-awaited second installment of the Seraphina Parrish trilogy (check out my review of the first book, Wander Dust here), we get both the perfect story and not nearly enough! See, Michelle Warren has a knack for telling a story that hooks you and draws you in, and while the book itself is this perfectly spun story, it leaves you wanting so much more.

Protecting Truth opens a few months after the end of Wander Dust, just as summer is ending and the new school year about to begin for Sera and her cronies. Unable to stand the separation from Bishop any longer, Sera wanders to England for a surprise visit -- setting in motion a chain of events that rocks the Academy. And so Sera's second year at the Academy begins on a stressful note, made worse by the ever-increasing tension between Bishop and Turner - his fraternal twin, and Sera's secret collaborator. See, Turner has been making defense training holograms for Sera, and she can now kick some major tail on her own - which would make Bishop feel inadequate and unwanted, since, you know, he's her Protector. Crazy stuff. Plus, Cece and the Academy's enemies are back in full-force, and the stakes just keep getting raised higher and higher.

The tension and story and all the ... truths ... that are revealed in Protecting Truth are making writing the review tricky. I don't want to give anything up, because this is a story you've got to really experience for yourself. So I'll tease you a little: the tension between Turner and Bishop? It's more than just twin-rivalry. All the secrets that Sera thought she figured out last year? They barely even scratch the surface. And the ending. Oh. My. Word. There are no words. Except "wow" and "where's the rest of the story, Michelle?!?!?!" Seriously. I need the rest of this story. The characters, the drama, the amazingness of wandering (who doesn't want to be able to wander, by the way?). Yup, Michelle Warren has officially created one awesome world. And left me hanging.

eBook provided by author for review.

2-for-1 Review: Southern Fraud

Okay, I'm putting the reviews for Absolute Liability and Death Benefits in one post, because I read them back-to-back, and they just *go together* ... Especially considering they're the first two novels in JW Becton's Southern Fraud thriller series.

Absolute Liability
JW Becton
Whiteley Press, 2011

Julia Jackson used to be a cop. Now she's an investigator with the Georgia Department of Insurance, fraud division. And she's just heard - on the radio - that she's been abducted at gunpoint. So begins an investigation unlike any Julia has worked before. Not only is she investigating two fraud cases, but she and her new partner - Mark Vincent,  ex-military investigative hunk (er, hulk) - are also doing anything possible to help find the kidnappers. As time passes, it becomes increasingly clear that Julia really was the intended target, and its all somehow connected to one of her fraud investigations. There's something that someone will do anything to keep hidden.

As I've said several times on this blog, I'm not a big fan of mysteries - and I typically figure them out crazy soon. Becton has managed a feat few pull off: I had no clue who the "bad guy" was until it was revealed. I mean, I had my suspicions, but they kept changing back and forth, I was never able to make a firm decision. The story is attention-grabbing and fast-paced, thanks in large part to skillful character development. And the obvious chemistry between Julia and Vincent. Julia's not one of those unearthly "super cops" -- she's just a good investigator with a passion for justice (which is the reason she went into law enforcement: to find her sister's rapist). She gets scared, she gets pissed off, and she has a great sense of humor. Definitely a likeable character, and I look forward to reading more of her adventures. Or misadventures.

eBook provided by my personal library.

Death Benefits
JW Becton
Whiteley Press, 2012

After a brief medical leave to recover from her last investigation, Julia Jackson is back at work - and permanently assigned Mark Vincent as her partner. There are worse fates, and she's particularly grateful for his presence as she wades into the details of her new case. A burned body found in a truck, and a near-instantaneous call to receive the death benefit check from the widow. Yup, definitely smells like insurance fraud. What nobody expected was to uncover a twisted, messy secret that would rock the little Georgia town to its core.

All the great elements of Absolute Liability are present in Death Benefits as well - Julia's a character you can relate to, and Vincent is...well...he's Vincent. You've really got to experience him for yourself. The secondary characters are one colorful group as well, my favorite being Mrs. Twilley - the little old lady whose aunt plays a surprising role in the story. I think that's one thing I really, really enjoy about these books: Becton's portrayal of small, southern town flavor. And it's definitely a flavor. I've lived in the South my whole life, and she's definitely captured the atmosphere. I had a better idea of who was responsible this time, but it was still a bit of a toss-up between which of the two was the sicko. And yes: Death Benefits is creepier than Absolute Liability. Do not read this one late at night (I actually skimmed over some of the crime scenes, because they're that well written).

Once all the loose ends are neatly tracked down and cleaned up (literally, heh heh heh), we're left with the tantalizing promise of a shift between Vincent and Julia, and Julia finally making progress towards catching her sister's rapist -- or at least finding new leads. Definitely looking forward to the next installment, and increasingly amazed that the person who made me actually kind of like Caroline Bingley can write such creeptasticly amazing mysteries...

eARC provided by author for review.

In Need of Therapy

In Need of Therapy
Tracie Banister
2012

Pilar Alvarez is a young psychologist in South Beach, fighting to make her fledgling therapy practice a success. Her dedication to her career is fodder for her Cuban-American mother who wants to see her daughters married off quickly and producing granddaughters to spoil. Pilar's her special 'case', since her thirtieth birthday is swiftly approaching. Pilar is less concerned with finding a man, especially since her ex is stubbornly refusing to go away. But these things always seem to happen when you aren't expecting, and soon Pilar finds herself with two very unsuitable men "in her life." What happens next is a fun read that had me laughing out loud, and totally relating to Pilar's frustrations. It's a reading journey you've got to go on for yourself, because the twists pack so much more punch when you don't know what's coming. (Translation: I'm being very particular about not giving up any spoilers!)

What I loved best about In Need of Therapy was the characters. They're fleshed out and colorful. Mitch, Pilar's new patient, is such a card - unfortunately, I've known a few too many guys like him in real life, but that makes him no less entertaining. Ford, the dashing new (psychiatrist) in Pilar's building, has a complicated past and an engaging personality. And Victor, Pilar's rich and gorgeous ex, is one of those smarmy sleazeballs you love to read about but hope you never meet in person. Of course, the women are also splendidly drawn as surprisingly deep and complex. I could definitely relate to Pilar's journey to trust herself - and those around her (particularly the male types) - and the story itself is a fun read.

eBook provided by author for review.

Click: An Online Love Story

Click: An Online Love Story
Lisa Becker
2011

I have always had a soft spot for epistolary novels, and with the advent of email and the interwebs, I've opened my reading arms to the world of email-epistolary novels. Click is one of these novels, consisting primarily of the emails between Renee and her best friends Mark, Ashley and the uber-colorful-Shelley. These are people who've been friends for years and years, and that's clear in their uncensored emails. Reading their interactions - dishing on dates, snarking about each other - was like eavesdropping on the table next to you in the Uni cafeteria. I felt like I really got to know these people, and got sucked into their misadventures and relationships.

Which brings me to the other, really major element of emails in Click. Mark has convinced Renee to begin online dating - and we get to see the emails from prospective matches, and enjoy all the rehashing of every disastrous date. Renee's misadventures in the online dating world are just ridiculous enough to be entertaining without stretching "the truth" too far - some of them reminded me of horror stories my friends have shared, actually. Through it all, Renee grows as a person, learning to stand up for herself and fight for the things that are worth fighting for - especially when Love is on the line.

A quick read with colorful characters and a good story, Click is definitely a fun epistolary novel. Stay tuned and make sure you swing by Wednesday for a guest post from Lisa and a giveaway!

eBook provided by author for review.

Blue Sky Days

Blue Sky Days
Marie Landry
2012

Emma had her life planned out in meticulous fashion. She spent her entire high school career working hard and earning stellar grades, grades intended to land a spot in college that would lead to a successful career. But she decided to take a year off, to earn her way through college, and discovered she had lost herself along the way. Realizing she should do something about it, Emma decided to spend the summer in Riverview, with her aunt Daisy. That decision changed her life, forever.

It's hard to be nineteen, and even harder to discover yourself after years of striving to meet someone else's idea of perfection. But with the help of free-spirited Daisy, Emma starts to learn that life is about more than perfect grades and isolating yourself from the world. When she meets Nicholas, Emma realizes that so many of her ideas and perceptions of life were so wrong - but that changing them is so very easy. Nicholas introduces her to his friends - Vince and Maggie - and the three give Emma her first taste of what it means to be young and free. And loved. As summer winds down, Emma is faced with another decision: stay in Riverview, or go back to her old life. She stays, and digs her roots deeply into the foundation of love and support she's found. And she needs every bit of that loving support a short time later, when Nicholas is diagnosed with leukemia. The next months are a struggle, but Emma, Nicholas, and their "family" of Daisy and Sam (Nicholas's dad), Vince and Maggie, rely on each other and the fierce power of love to get through the valley and back into the sun.

Blue Sky Days is a beautiful story, but was a difficult read at times. The first half is fun, and I loved watching Emma grow. I remember being nineteen, and how hard it is to see who you really are in the world, trying to find your place. Emma and all the characters are drawn neatly, fleshed out with a life and spark that made me wish they were true. Once the fight for Nicholas's life began, it got harder for me to read - leukemia, and cancer in general, has ravaged so many near and dear to my heart. Landry does a wonderful job making it real, not glossing over the hell of it all, but emphasizing the importance of family - of togetherness - of Love. (And, thankfully, she doesn't totally break my reader's heart either!). A well-written, moving story about growing into yourself, and finding out first-hand the amazing power of love.

eBook provided by author for review.

Blog Tour: The Kiss Off & Top 10 Man Bands

Hello, hello! It's been a quiet posting week, and I apologize, but I'm making up for it today! I am happy to be hosting not only a review of Sarah Billington's upcoming novel The Kiss Off, but Sarah also graciously agreed to do a Top 10 post and picked the super fun topic "Man bands." And so, without further ado, I'll let you get to know Sarah a little better a`la her taste in music, and then I hope you stick around to read my review. (And, if you leave a comment, there's a blog tour-wide contest going on for book prizes.)

Top 10 Man Bands
I love Man Bands. That’s probably why I wrote about one as they rocket themselves to international superstardom in my May 15 release, young adult comedy novel, The Kiss Off.

Do you know what I mean when I say Man Bands? How do YOU differentiate between bands with dudes that dance, and bands that rock out, playing their own instruments thank-you-very-much?

Me? I say Boy band (epic dancers) and Man bands (rock Gods)

But then you get Man bands that play pop, which some people consider to be BOY band material, and then you get boy bands that play rock…wait…no…do you? I can’t actually think of any.

Without any further rambling – here is Sarah Billington’s Top 10 Man Bands!

(If you don’t feel like reading down, then click below and watch the awesome.)

10 Green Day

Back when Billy Joe had blue hair and I was listening to music on tape (I swear to God I’m not an old lady) I first heard a very different Green Day to what they are now, in the song When I Come Around.

9 Offspring

I play their greatest hits album all the time, but my fave Offspring song is totally You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid.

8 Shinedown

I’m not really into screamo music, but I do love their songs Second Chance and If You Only Knew. I listen to them heaps and am totally NOT sick of them. I don't know how.

7 Son of Dork

Busted 2.0 with more band members and more fun music. Each song is like a YA story. Pretty sure there’s going to be a Westend musical about their one and only album, too. Did that happen? Totally watching out for THAT.

6 Everclear

A favourite from back when I was in year 7 and bought the CD with an MA+ rating (15 and over) which they TOTALLY shouldn’t have sold me. I’ll never NOT love these guys.

5 Busted

Listening to these guys is like watching your brother play the perfect prank on someone. If you have a brother.

4 Hot Chelle Ray

Totally fun band I love right now.

Here we go…the holy trinity of Man Bands for me. My Top 3 Man Bands also happen to be the inspiration behind the band Academy of Lies, in The Kiss Off.

Am I waffling again? WITHOUT FURTHER ADO!

Sarah Billington’s Top 3 Man Bands

3 Simple Plan

Still curse the day when years ago I bought SUPER AWESOME tickets to their show and got so sick that day I thought I was going to die.

2 All Time Low

Until making the playlist above, I’d never seen one of their music videos. But I could tell they would be good fun, from their music. I could just tell.

1 McFly

Britain’s favourite (am I being controversial by saying that?) record-breaking band. To me, these guys are the ultimate larrikins.

With millions of exceptions (this isn’t a definitive list, after all) I pretty much love bands with a sense of humour in their lyrics, and some power pop or rocking tracks.

How about you? Who are your faves that I should scurry throughout the interwebs to listen to THIS VERY MINUTE?

Thanks for having me, Rebecca! This was super-fun.

I, for one, really enjoyed this Top 10 list! Thanks, Sarah! And I love the way you differentiate boy band and man band...

Now that you've gotten to know a little about Sarah's musical side, would you like to know about The Kiss Off and its man band? Thought you might...

The Kiss Off

Sarah Billington

2012

Poppy Douglas is just another high school girl with a guitar and YouTube channel, recording a song every now and then as inspiration strikes. And one night, at a party, watching her newly-minted ex make out with his new girlfriend, inspiration strikes like lightning. The result: The Kiss Off, a song that quickly becomes a YouTube favorite. When a chance encounter on the bus, followed by repeat encounters around town, suddenly Poppy is making connections with the boys of hometown band Academy of Lies. They remix The Kiss Off, and its popularity skyrockets even more. As her song takes over the radio, her new "boyfriend" and buddies start moving in swanky circles, and more attention is turned her way, Poppy starts to realize there's more to show-biz than meets the eye. And when the public eye is on you, nothing - and I do mean nothing - goes unnoticed.

The Kiss Off is a fun read that deals with some pretty serious issues that are timely and relevant. Some of them are not necessarily "general" in nature (paparazzi and hordes of screaming fans are not the typical high schooler's problem), but others are very real. Like sexting, and privacy - online and in person - and what happens when people you love and trust do things that hurt you. Not to mention trying to figure out the whole messy world of high school romance. Poppy and her friends learn some lessons the hard way, and also have some amazing adventures. While I wasn't able to relate to Poppy's situation, I was able to root for her as a character - wanting her to open her eyes and see things, cheering when she seemed to see the light and cringing when she slipped up. Again. It's a real novel, with real teenage characters who could actually be walking the streets of my town. When a fun read makes you think about stuff, I think that's a good thing - and The Kiss Off definitely meets that description.

eBook provided by author for review.