Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.

 

 

 

Three Strikes is the new novel in a thriller series where a criminal psychologist uses her own dark past to help law enforcement catch dangerous killers.

Thanksgiving is approaching, and Audrey Harte has a lot to be thankful for -- her mother has recovered from surgery, her relationship with Jake is solid, her father is relatively sober, and her career is evolving in an exciting direction. So when an 18-year-old girl turns up on her mother's doorstep, claiming to be the daughter Maggie Jones gave up for adoption, Audrey is amazed.

As Audrey helps the girl discover where she came from, people in the little town of Edgeport think she should leave the past alone, and they let her know through threatening messages and phone calls. Soon, Audrey realizes that it doesn't matter how well you think you know someone -- you don't know what they're capable of until their secrets are threatened...

 

 

Eek! I STILL need to START this series! But I can't wait to read it! I love Kate's books! Binge reading is always fun!

 

TITLE: Three Strikes

AUTHOR: Kate Kessler

PUBLISHER: Redhook

GENRE: Thriller

RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2017 

 

 

 

 

Mini Review--Sealed with a Curse by Jenna Black

Being the new kid in town sucks, and when you're the only one not invited to the party of the year, you know you're a real outcast. So when Chloe discovers she's invited to the annual Halloween party after all, she throws together a costume and braves a hurricane to go. But there's more than weather threatening the fun, and unless she can find a way to counter the curse that's killing off the partygoers, it'll be the last party she or any of her classmates ever attend. Forget about trick or treats; tonight is going to be pure terror.

Let it be noted that this book is now out of print. As far as I know, you can’t get it anymore unless things change and Jenna is able to send it back out into the world!

Jenna Black’s Sealed with a Curse is the perfect little read for Halloween time! It was far creepier than I expected and definitely a lot more bloody!

Chloe and her mom and her grandfather have moved once again. They’ve been doing that a lot lately, because according to her grandfather, they have magic in their blood and are able to cast curses onto people. Chloe’s not so sure she believes it, but her mom sure does. Her father had died in a car accident awhile back largely due to the fact that her grandfather have moved in with them. He’s not the easiest person to love. Very cranky and sometimes, just downright mean.

Chloe was upset that she didn’t get invited to the biggest Halloween party of the year, until suddenly her invitation shows up late in their neighbor’s mail. Despite the storm that is headed their way, Chloe is determined to go. She wants this place to maybe finally be a home, at least until she goes away to college next year. But because of the storm, only about a dozen people show up to the party.

The party starts out innocent enough, if a little boring once the power goes out. It’s then that the first partygoer gets hurt and everything starts to fall apart thereafter. People are dying and Chloe feels largely responsible since she knows that this is her grandfather’s curse at work.

This read was definitely chilling! I think what made it even more so was that the party hostess had dogs and when you involve curses and magic that can affect you in scary ways…well you do the math! I will say that no animals were abused or hurt in this one…they were just victims of the curse. It definitely makes for an emotional read.

Watching literally everyone being killed off was scary as well. Especially since the enemy is clear across town and can’t really be stopped. Except in one way…needless to say this is definitely a read for dark stormy nights, if you’re brave enough. Whereas I read it on a nice bright sunny 90+ degrees fall day! Yup.

The ending was satisfactory in the sense of conclusions, but alas I still couldn’t help but feel wrecked over it. I felt for Chloe and her situation. I would’ve wished for an ending that was just a touch more happier, but not all scary stories can end happily ever after.

 
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars

ARC Review--Ringer by Lauren Oliver

Like its ambitious companion novel, Replica, this far-reaching novel by powerhouse bestselling author Lauren Oliver digs deep into questions of how to be a human being in a world where humanity cannot be taken for granted.

In the world outside the Haven Institute, Lyra and Caelum are finding it hard to be human—and neither of them knows where they belong or who they can trust. When Caelum leaves without warning to pursue the dream of a place he belongs, Lyra follows him, convinced that together they will hunt down a cure for the illness that’s slowly consuming her mind. But what they uncover is a shocking connection to their past—even as their future seems in danger of collapsing.

After discovering the uncomfortable truth about her connection to the Haven Institute, Gemma struggles to return to her normal life. But when she learns that her controlling and powerful father has new plans for Lyra and Caelum, Gemma and her boyfriend, Pete, leave in the middle of the night to warn them of the danger they face.When an untimely accident derails them, they are mistaken for the escaped replicas and seized by strangers hired to capture them. The Haven Institute wasn’t destroyed after all, and now Gemma is the one behind the walls.

Lyra’s and Gemma’s stories can be read separately—with either story first—or in alternating chapters, but no matter which way you turn the book, the two distinct stories combine into one breathtaking experience for both heroines and readers alike.

I received this ARC from an independent bookstore during the festivities of Independent Bookstore Day for pure enjoyment. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Ringer is Lauren Oliver’s thrilling follow-up to incredible hit, Replica. I believe that this is a duology based on the way things ended, but there’s still enough of a twist that could lead to more books. It’s too soon to tell at this point! But either way, I think this is the best way to end a book or series for that matter, resolving the pertinent issues but leaving just enough wiggle room for more adventures should that be the author’s course.

It’s been a few weeks since the events of Replica when we start Ringer. Gemma and Lyra are separated once again, but Lyra and Caelum are living with her birth father, Rick, in another state. Knowing that people from Haven might still want to reclaim their “projects”. Gemma has reconnected with her parents in a way, her father doesn’t travel for work anymore, instead people come to him. While there have been many changes to her life, sometimes she feels as if nothing has changed at all. It’s when she learns that Lyra and Caelum are in danger that she decides to act. She and Pete make the road trip to Lyra’s new home in order to warn her before bad people come after her and Caelum.

Though it seems Lyra and Caelum were having their own issues when Lyra comes home to find Caelum gone. She sets out on her own to find him. All the while she is getting sick. As you might recall from Replica, Lyra isn’t a replica, but a human who was tested upon because her mother gave her up years ago for nice sum of cash. Lyra thinks that finding Dr. Saperstein will be the answer to her problems, so after reuniting with Caelum that’s what their new goal becomes. During the road trip, Gemma and Pete are mistaken for replicas and are taken hostage by the scientists. And that’s when the story truly takes off!

I’m continually surprised with these books and how little time Gemma and Lyra spend together. In a way, I get why they don’t but I somehow still expect them to spend more than a page or two together, doing something! I don’t know. It’s weird. But again, I see why they don’t get to spend time together. And yet their stories still collide with one another. It’s truly amazing what Lauren has written here! This is a series filled with quite a bit of excitement and suspense! You truly never know what will happen next! The adventures these girls take are filled with hidden dangers and enemies at every turn! And you never really know who you can trust!

Ringer definitely had a different level of suspense than Replica did. While Replica dealt more with the discovery element of things, Ringer is different because we’re learning more about what we already knew. There’s not a whole lot of new added to the mystery but I still feel like we don’t really know what these scientists were all about. Other than what they said was their mission. Mean, I’m a person of details, I want to know the exact reasoning and not just the sum of it all! Lol. Which basically leads me to feeling a bit befuddled with these scientists still. Add to the fact that I don’t clearly know yet if this is the final book or not.

Once again I was smitten with the little bit of romance that was mixed in. I find I really enjoy Lyra and Caelum’s the most since they’re so new to it all, yet they know their feelings are true. It’s so sweet! Gemma and Pete are as well! The depths that these two go for one another is just amazing!

Ringer was a smash hit! This read is filled with so much intrigue and secrets that I feel like there will always be more to learn about it. This is definitely a read for those who enjoyed twisted tales! And as before I read this one in alternate style and again would recommend that course for because while Gemma and Lyra may not always be together, their stories are happening at the same time and when their worlds collide you’ll get into spoiler like things if you choose to read one girl’s story and then the other. But of course, the important thing is that you decide what course to take!

 
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars


Ringer releases October 3, 2017 

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Purple Princess of The Purple Booker.

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a page
3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE
4. Name the title, author, etc.

"The sound of the blood rushing inside my ears blocked out what he said next. There was just a whooshing noise growing louder and louder." p 161 

TITLE: The Hanging Girl
AUTHOR: Eileen Cook
PUBLISHER: HMH Books for Young Readers
GENRE: Thriller YA
RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list  that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

This week's topic is: Ten Books that Feature Characters who are Killers

*in no particular order

**I clearly have Halloween on the brain so forgive the gruesome topic! 

10. TEN by Gretchen McNeil--I write this post super early for reasons, and I am eagerly anticipating watching this movie version! Teens stranded on an island with no contact to the mainland and there's a killer on the loose somewhere as they all start dying one by one!!

9. GET EVEN by Gretchen McNeil--Gretchen writes yet another delightful (lol) story where this group of friends is being stalked in a sense by a killer!

8. THE BODY FINDER by Kimberly Derting--this one involves a teen girl who can find dead bodies, usually murder victims. Even more eerie is that we get chapters from the killer's POV!!

7. NEARLY GONE by Elle Cosimano--one involving a serial killer on the loose and his notes that he leaves behind are a puzzle that Nearly just might be able to solve! Very good read! The sequel too! I wish there were MORE!

6. CITY OF THE LOST by Kelley Armstrong--while our heroine has killed before, it's not exactly what you might think. When she comes to this town to help hide her BFF, she ends up finding herself solving a murder among the residents!

5. BLACK ICE by Becca Fitzpatrick--our heroine who gets kidnapped by her foes must help them get through the woods. And it becomes clear that murders have taken place nearby!

4. THE DEAD LIST by Jennifer L. Armentrout--a TBR read that I must get to asap! After an attempted murder and having the murderer, likely, stalking her afterward definitely makes for a chilling read.

3. YOU by Caroline Kepnes--still need to obtain a copy, but this one sounds creepy good! Our stalker/maybe a killer is our person of interest aka storyteller!

2. THE DEVIL YOU KNOW by Trish Doller--another TBR read where our heroine for whatever reason takes a road trip with two brothers she JUST MET and oh yeah...one of them is likely a killer!

1. STALKING JACK THE RIPPER by Kerri Maniscalco--oh how I loved this one!! Audrey Rose is out to prove her uncle isn't Jack the Ripper by finding the real killer. So obviously we have a killer on the loose. I still can't believe I didn't see the identity coming! I still feel sideswiped by that! LOL!

ARC Review--Shifter's Fate by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Sometimes fate can't be ignored...

Mattie is desperate when she accepts a librarian position in the small coastal town of Willow Harbor. She plans to spend a few months there, enough time to get a reference and move somewhere she actually wants to be. But fate has other plans.

Pierce has given up on finding his mate. His family line of true shapeshifters will die out, but there is nothing he can do with only a few weeks left before his birthday. Until Mattie shows up in town.

When Mattie's past catches up, and Pierce's family turns on him, will fate be enough to see them through?

Strange Neighbors. Hidden Desires. Small Town Charm. Welcome to Willow Harbor where everyone has a secret. What’s yours?

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.


Shifter's Fate is the first novel in set of four called Willow Harbor! The novels are all written by different authors and can be read independently or as a set. Alyssa Rose Ivy starts us off with the introduction to Willow Harbor.

In this town, you'll meet a variety of supernatural beings. Mattie though is a human who takes a job as a librarian to escape her current job and trying boss. Mattie realizes pretty quickly that this town is different than what she's known before. There's just an odd sense of different in the air.

Then Mattie meets Pierce, who just happens to be the son of her new boss. Again, we see a sort of fast connection between these two but neither one can explain it or give it a name.

Pierce is the last true shapeshifter. He can take on any animal form that he's seen before. He's not exactly popular in the shapeshifter world. Werewolves and bear shifters don't care for him. Likely due to the fact that he can be so many animals. He has until his 25th birthday in order to find his true mate or else his race will die out. And if the description didn't already tell you, naturally, he believes that Mattie might be that one special person.

But Pierce has enemies about that he doesn't even realize. Ones that threaten any sort of peace he might find with Mattie. He will do anything to protect her and will have to do just that in order to make it to his birthday in the first place.

Like any of Alyssa's books, I was immediately swept away into this story! A brand new world to venture into, yet it's still one I find pleasing! Seriously, secret neighborhoods where supernaturals live? I so want to go! Lol! This town is more secretive than others I've read before, which was a nice turn of pace. While we're in the know on most of the supernatural going-ons, Mattie isn't. So we pretty much explore things through her eyes and adjust to it, while when we are in Pierce's mind we get to know all the secrets. It was a nice way to do things!

This was a nicely paced read! I devoured it in one day if that tells you anything! It's just so easy to keep sweeping through the pages. You don't want to put it down for a minute! At least I didn't! This is definitely one to check out for fans of Paranormal Romance New Adult! 


Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars--a teeny take down because I felt like things towards the end were moving really really fast and the resolution came about so fast I felt like I missed something. Though I did know what happened, but you know how things happen so quickly and you blink and it's suddenly over? That's how it felt.


Shifter's Fate releases October 2, 2017

BLOG TOUR: ARC Review--Ally by Anna Banks

Princess Sepora of Serubel and King Tarik of Theoria have formed an uneasy truce between their kingdoms since the deadly plague began to rip through Theoria. Since their feelings for each other are entangled in politics and power, they must use their own trusted resources to find common ground.

But when traitors with powerful allies arise from unexpected places, Tarik and Sepora face challenges that will change both of their kingdoms forever. Will they learn whom to trust—including each other—in time to save their kingdoms, their relationship and even their lives?

I received this ARC from a fellow blogger in a fair trade. This review is completely voluntary and honest, nor was I compensated for my opinions.

While I had a hard time getting into Nemesis, that was not the case for the followup, Ally! Anna Banks starts things off with a bang and there was a nice run of action, tension, and buildup! For me it was a far more engaging read and I couldn’t get enough of it!

Sepora and Tarik are set to get married, but as Tarik was a bit deceptive and his motives not seeming as heartfelt as she would like, Sepora is none too happy with him. And the fact that her parents have come to visit the palace and have helped arrange the engagement, things aren’t looking so peachy for Sepora. Both her father and Tarik think that she will be more than willing to Forge to aid them in the looming war that is to come from the other countries, but Sepora remains steadfast in her decision not to Forge.

There’s a great deal of tension going around in this one. Sepora has mixed feelings about her engagement to Tarik. True, she has feelings for him, but can’t help but feel he wants her for what she can do. As it is, he’s still trying to find a cure for the Quiet Plague that continues to effect his people. Sepctorium is the key ingredient to the cure and with Sepora refusing to produce more, things remain tense between them as well.

And then Sepora is kidnapped and everything thereafter changes.

This book was really, really good! I liked that when it started we’re immediately thrown into the thick of things. Or close to immediately. Sepora gives Tarik a good roundabout way of the cold shoulder and he remains baffled by her behavior! At times, Tarik really drove me nuts. I get his conflicting feels for her, she lies to him easily and readily and he knows she knows that he knows when she lies (that’s a mouthful!). Sepora herself has conflicting feelings towards him as well. She can’t help but feel that he wants her for her what she can do. That it’s not love driving the desire to marry her. Of course, he was set to marry another and he pretty much breaks off the engagement as soon as it’s set.

So as you can see there’s a lot of miscommunication between these two. Yes, there are lies between them, but it seems they are both guilty of lying. And I guess it made me madder when Tarik got madder at Sepora for this and that and for not willingly Forging for him and the upcoming war. It’s like you could see how it may have possibly been for Sepora and her father when she was forced to Forge. Make it start out as something small, the desire to protect people, to heal people, and then greed takes over and soon she’s locked in a room forced to Forge all day and night. I can easily see this fear haunting Sepora and what guided her to make her decisions despite the animosity it created between her and Tarik.

I have to say that in this one, Sethos really grew on me! I had a brief worry about a love triangle but my fears were quickly put to ease. Sethos was definitely the necessary humor when it came to moments that were just rife with that dreaded tension. That he challenges his brother at every turn was kind of delightful! Being the younger sibling myself, I couldn’t help but root for him and his antics!

This one wasn’t without its feels either! Why I went through a range of emotions when it came to the hot and cold romance between Sepora and Tarik, there was one moment that had me on the verge of hysteric tears! That I was in a public place was probably my only saving grace for saving face! I won’t get into what happened that caused my near tears, but it was a doozie! That’s all I’ll say!

I was quite surprised with how things ended! There were so many shocking revelations that I didn’t see coming nor felt prepared for! My mind was blown! I have to admit, despite my initial reservations about this duology it has become one that I will look back on with good feelings! And the ending was definitely one that had me gushing with delighted feels! I truly didn’t know how things would go after all the events came to pass, but I can happily say that Anna ended things in a way that will please all readers!


Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars

 
Ally releases October 3, 2017



Here is some amazing artwork created by David North! Anna had these made and they work perfectly for the tour! Each stop will have a piece to admire! So here's the first one you shall see:

About Anna

NYT Bestselling YA author of The Syrena Legacy series: OF POSEIDON (2012), OF TRITON (2013), OF NEPTUNE (2014).

Repped by rockstar Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency.

I live with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can’t walk in high heels, but I’m very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.

Favorite Books:

Shatter Me, Cinder, Linger, Shiver, Forever, Pushing the Limits, Unravel Me,Shadow and Bone, Enclave, Divergent, Candor, Graceling, Fire, The Hunger Games Trilogy, The Host, Most of James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich makes me laugh through my nose in an unfeminine sort of way.

Visit Anna’s website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Now for the giveaway! 12 winners will receive a complete set of the exclusive pieces of art created for the series by David North (the images revealed during each tour stop), US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 


The Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/25/2017- a GREAT read- Review

9/26/2017- PaperTrailYA- Interview

9/27/2017- Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt

9/28/2017- Reese's Reviews- Review

9/29/2017- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

Week Two:

10/2/2017- Little Red's Reviews- Review

10/3/2017- Lisa Loves Literature- Guest Post

10/4/2017- Take Me Away To A Great Read- Review

10/5/2017- YA Books Central- Interview

10/6/2017- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review