Posts Categorized: ARC tour

Book Review-The Tension of Opposites

09 Jun, 2010 by in ARC tour, the Tension of Opposites 1 comment

published May 25th 2010 by EgmontUSA
details Hardcover, 288 pages
isbn 1606840851
4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads…”It’s been two years since Noelle disappeared. Two years since her bike was discovered, sprawled on a sidewalk. Two years of silence, of worry, of fear.

For those two long years, her best friend Tessa has waited, living her own life in a state of suspended animation. Because how can she allow herself to enjoy a normal high school life if Noelle can’t? How dare she have other friends, go to dances, date boys, without knowing what happened to the girl she thought she would share everything with?

And then one day, someone calls Noelle’s house. She’s alive.

A haunting psychological thriller taken straight from the headlines, The Tension of Opposites is a striking debut that explores the emotional aftermath of a kidnapping on the victim, and on the people she left behind.”

Tessa is an ordinary teenage in a small town who’s life is devastated when her best friend Noelle is kidnapped one day off of the streets. Her reaction is accurate and gripping as she struggles with PTSD, codependency and her life lines become blurred with the one friend she loves the most. How can she ever trust again?

As Noelle is found and introduced back into Tessa’s life, she is different…a ghost of the person she once was. She begins to deal with media scrutiny, experimentation with drugs to numb the pain, a dead end relationship all the while attending therapy. The social worker in me loved how accurate the trials Elle endures are. The feelings she shares and things she experiences are haunting. It’s a book with adult situations that happen to a teenager in captivity so be prepared for sexually graphic and mature content. Adults may be wise to process this with their teen or read it along with them. Also, teachers and therapists my want to note the story of Salt Lake teen Elizabeth Smart as an example in contrast of how kidnap victims may handle the dynamics of coming back into society and healing. All in all, this reminds me a lot of Halse Anderson’s books Speak and Wintergirls as it handles a real life situation. I do love how McBride adds hope and actual visible change into all of her characters. We actually see them shift as the story progresses. Four out of five stars to a deep and interesting read!

Email us if you are interested in reading and reviewing The Tension of Opposites as part of our ARC tour.

Book Review-Siren by Tricia Rayburn

05 Jun, 2010 by in ARC tour, siren, tricia rayburn 6 comments


published July 13th 2010 by EgmontUSA
details Hardcover, 352 pages
isbn 606840746

Synopsis from Goodreads…”Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Sands is afraid of everything—the dark, heights, the ocean—but her fearless older sister, Justine, has always been there to coach her through every challenge. That is, until Justine goes cliff-diving one night near the family’s vacation house in Maine, and her lifeless body washes up on shore the next day.

Though her parents hope that they’ll be able to find closure back in Boston, Vanessa can’t help feeling that her sister’s death wasn’t an accident. After discovering that Justine was keeping a lot of secrets, Vanessa returns to Winter Harbor, hoping that Justine’s boyfriend might know more. But Caleb has been missing since Justine’s death.

Soon, it’s not just Vanessa who’s afraid. All of Winter Harbor is abuzz with anxiety when another body washes ashore, and panic sets in when the small town becomes host to a string of fatal, water-related accidents in which all the victims are found, horrifically, grinning from ear to ear.

Vanessa turns to Caleb’s brother, Simon, for help, and begins to find herself drawn to him. As the pair try to understand the sudden rash of creepy drownings, Vanessa uncovers a secret that threatens her new romance—and will change her life forever.

A seductive paranormal romance full of unexpected twists, Siren is certain to make a big summer splash.”

What a great way to start off my summer reading! Tricia Rayburn sets up the perfect setting in a quaint little fishing and tourist town in Maine with guava smoothies, sun and surf. From the very first chapter you’ll be pulled in to the romance and intrigue as well as the mystery of what is really going on in Winter Falls. Vanessa and her sister Justine spend their summers vacationing there with childhood friends and locals, Simon and Caleb. Who are definitely an attraction if you ask me…but this summer things are different. Justine and Caleb seem closer than ever, risks are being taken. When Justine dies cliff jumping her sister Vanessa is determined to find out the real story.
Justine will be forced to face so many of her deep seated fears as she spends time alone without her family to track down the source of the mayhem in her peaceful resort. She finds out who she is, and who her sister really was…which is as no one suspects. The characters in Siren are mesmerizing and magical. There are so many layers to each one they feel real. Myth meets reality and you will be entranced by this modern day fairy tale thriller with a pinch of romance. There are so many twists and turns in the plot you will never be bored! 4.5 stars to Siren, well done!

Email us to join the ARC tour which kicks off today at fireandice.heather@gmail.com

Book Review -The Jaguar Stones #1 Middleworld

18 May, 2010 by in ARC tour, Middleworld 2 comments


published April 27th 2010 by EgmontUSA
(first published October 5th 2007)
details Library Binding, 416 pages
isbn 1606840932
3.5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads “In the ancient city of Itzamna, Lord Six-Rabbit wakes up screaming. A great warrior king of the mighty Maya, he has dreamed he was a lowly, flea-bitten monkey. How could this be? Was this some sorcery sent by his half-brother, Tzelok, the evil priest?

1200 years later, in Boston, Massachusetts, 14-year-old Max Murphy is looking forward to a family vacation. But his parents, both archaeologists and Maya experts, announce a change in plan. They must leave immediately for a dig in San Xavier, the tiny Central American country where his father grew up. Max will go to summer camp. Max is furious. He’s always suspected that his parents cared more about the Ancient May than about him and this proves it. When he’s mysteriously summoned to San Xavier, he thinks they’ve had a change of heart. But he’s met at the airport by one of their colleagues, who explains that his parents have gone missing at the remote Maya temple of Ix Chel. He also tells Max the legend of The Jaguar Stones, the five sacred stones of Middleworld (the Maya name for the world of men) which enabled Ancient May kings to wield the powers of living gods.

And so begins Max Murphy’s wild adventure in the tropical rainforests of San Xavier. During his journey, he will unlock ancient secrets and meet strangers who are connected to him in ways he could never have imagined. For fate has delivered a challenge of epic proportions to this papered teenager. Can Max rescue his parents from the Maya Underworld and save the world from the Lords of Death, who now control the power of the Jaguar Stones in their villainous hands? The scene is set for a roller-coaster ride of suspense and terror, as the good guys and the bad guys face off against a background of haunted temples, zombie armies and and human sacrifice.

This book was donated as an advanced reader copy from Egmont publishing, and I will say I love the cover. I think it pulls readers in with the rich detail and Mayan stone skulls in the water waves. Jaguar Stones book #1 reminded me a lot of Indiana Jones for middle grade readers.The first chapters revisit a lot of Mayan history and culture and the characters are mysterious and adventurous. I really enjoyed Max’s short stay a the “banana factory” and discoveries in the secret room.
I had a hard time with the main male Max and his spoiled attitude as well was hoping the relationship between him and his female sidekick would have had more lead up and development. I found myself annoyed with some of the dialogue between the two main heroes because of Max’s attitude and her nickname for him, “Hup.”
That being said, though, I do think it is a great read for middle grades and one which will feed your child’s imagination. There are black and white illustrations scattered through the book which I really think add to the story. “Middleworld” is free of any swearing or mature situations which as a mom I truly appreciate. It is a fun book with loads of potential as an interesting series! And it will leave you wanting to learn more about ancient history which is a gift. Thanks so much to the publishers for letting me get a sneak peek. It is available on the shelves now! Please eamil me with your mailing address if you are interested in reading Middleworld as a part of our ARC tour and be sure to enter the Jaguar Stone earring contest below!

In My Mailbox: Past Two Weeks

18 Apr, 2010 by in ARC tour, mundie moms 3 comments

Inside Out by Maria V Snyder- ARC tour book from MundieMoms-for review,
currently reading
The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman
The Sea Of Monsters by Rick Riordan
The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
Sweep #9 Strife by Cate Tiernan, read
Sweep #8 Changeling by Cate Tiernan, read

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus ARC tour read, reviewed
Sweep #7 The Calling by Cate Tiernan, read
The Jaguar Stones Book One Middle World- by J&BVoelkel-ARC from Egmont
Valient by Holly Black
The Pirate Primer by George Choundas
Sand and Foam by Kahlil Gibran
The Lost Files of Nancy Drew by Grosset and Dunlap

As always please email me or comment below if you are in the US or Canada and are interested in borrowing any of these books 🙂 “Shadow Hills” and “Inside Out” are part of book tours I am not personally hosting, sorry 🙁

I’m Running A Little Behind

11 Mar, 2010 by in ARC tour, YA fiction 2 comments

Because I have been doing this!
20 food kits and 50 hygiene kits for the victims of the Chile earthquake. So far I have paid for it all out of pocket. We have $10 already donated in $75 in giveaway pledges. It is such a worth while cause. We really need a lot more money to help. This is enough for four-six families. It is a start and it goes in the mail today!!! Click the yellow DONATE button on the right hand sidebar. Every little bit helps and 100% goes directly to Chilean families.
So…since I am late 🙂 Here are my last three week’s “In My Mailbox Posts”



If you are interested in being on my ARC tour lists for any of these titles, please email me the name of the book and your address. THANKS!