{ Still Missing by Chevy Stevens }

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

2010 by St. Martin's Press - New York

Mystery/Thriller

Source - Library

from GoodReads:

On the day she was abducted, Annie O'Sullivan, a thirty-two-year-old Realtor, had three goals: Sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Inter woven with the story of the year Annie spent captive in a remote mountain cabin - which unfolds through sessions with er psychiatrist - is a second narrative recounting the nightmare that follows her escape: her struggle to piece her shattered life back together, the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor, and the disturbing sense that things are far from over.

The truth doesn't always set you free.

Still Missing is that rare debut find - a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

Review:

I find it hard to say that this was an awesome book, due the subject matter. But...it was an amazing book! This is one terrifying, intense, horrifying, heartbreaking story...to say the least. The story is told in the second narrative, by Annie, through sessions with her shrink. I was not too sure how I was going to like the writing style, but once I was into the second chapter, I really found that I liked it. Annie is a great character. She is completely believable. You start to question yourself while reading Annie's story though. Could I handle this? Would I do that? Which would be better? Being killed by the Freak, Annie's name for her captor, or being held captive and having to endure the Freak? Annie is an extremely strong willed woman. But there is only so much a person can take. Right? After everything she goes through, you wonder how she is not even more screwed up than she is!

The Freak? I don't know how much research Chevy Stevens, the author, did for this book, but she nailed it. He is the model psychopath. Terrifying one minute, gentle and caring the next. Well, maybe not totally. You can see some tiny rays of humanity in him at times...very few, but a few. The setting was perfectly terrifying as well. Almost another character on it's own. I will never look at a cabin in the woods the same again.

I 100% recommend this book. But, be forewarned. You are in for a terrifying, horrifying, brutal, edge of your seat, heart pounding read. I was brought to tears many times and there are some shocking plot twists that will leave you speachless. If you are a female realtor? You might want to skip this one!

Chevy Stevens? This is your first novel? You should truly be proud of this one! I look forward to the next one and the next one and the next one.

Rating: 5 stars!

{ Teaser Tuesdays - March 29, 2011 }

Teaser Tuesday's is a bookish meme hosted by Mizb of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do the following:

* Grab your current read

* Open to a random page

* Share two(2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others! )

* Share the title and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser.

My teaser:

"Petrified to use the toilet in case he came in, I squatted over the drain in the bathtub. Leaning my head on the side wall, I tried to breathe in the perfect amount of air that wouldn't hurt and prayed I didn't die in there. Eventually I crawled back into bed and passed out again."

~ Pg 55 - Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Please leave a link to your teaser post so I can see what you are reading and don't forget to stop by and leave a comment for Mizb too!

{ Delirium by Laruen Oliver }

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2011 by Harperteen

from Goodreads:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn't understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she'll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Review:

When I first read the premise for this book, I was very intrigued. I thought, okay...I could almost see it. Plus, I had read many great reviews.

One of the best aspects of this book, really was the main character, Lena. It was a nice change to have a young female character grow and develop and not fall madly in love within the first few pages. Lena has grown up in this society. She has been surrounded and immersed in this - her - reality and has always been taught that 'Love' is a four letter word. Evil and dangerous. When she is first confronted with this other world of 'Invalids' and Love, through Alex, she is appalled and of course terrified. That is what she has been taught. Slowly, Alex and her best friend Hana, open her eyes to the truth.

I did find the story to be a little predictable. Well, okay, more than a little, but I still enjoyed it. I definitely want to find out what lies in store for Lena and will read the next installment when it comes out. So, yes, I would recommend giving it a read.

Rating: 3.5 stars

{ Touch by Alexi Zentner }

Touch by Alexi Zentner

April 2011 by Knopf Canada

Source: ARC win from GoodReads



from GoodReads:



Beautifully written, hauntingly told, a New face of Fiction novel that in its storytelling and recounting of a multi-generational family story brings to mind Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude - and in its evocation of the mythic wilderness, Joseph Boyden's Three Day Road.



My grandfather lifted the cup of tea and blew on it again. We were waiting for him to speak, and like any good storyteller he savoured the anticipation, letting us dangle for just an extra moment. "I came back," he said "to introduce Stephen to his grandmother." "What?" My mother stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "Why have I come back to Sawgamet? Why now?" He looked at me. "I've come for your grandmother," he said. "I've come to raise the dead. This is Sawgamet, a mining boom town gone bust, a logging village where the cold of winter breaks the glass of the schoolhouse thermometer, where the dangers of working in the cuts are over shadowed by the dark mysteries lurking in the woods." Thirty years after his grandfather's pronouncement, Stephen, now a pastor with a wife and family, returns on the eve of his mother's funeral, to reconnect with the stories of his mythic grandfather and to confront the losses of childhood. Introducing a world of wonder and tenderness, a world where the monsters and witches of the woods are set against singing dogs and golden caribou. Touch is a haunting tale of three generations of love and loss in a town in Northern BC.





Review:

I was very excited to read this one as it was an ARC win from GoodReads...my first one!

I will start off saying that this was definitely not something I would normally read. However, I really enjoyed it. This is a true storytellers story. It reminded me of listening to my grandfather talk about his days as a young man and the adventures he lived. I found the whole reality of what this family lived through to be extremely fascinating. I think we all take for granted the many aspects of modern day life. I am not so sure I could handle everything that this family lived through. I found Alexi Zenter's writing to be beautiful and heartbreaking. My only complaint really? I found the bouncing back and forth between the generations to be a little distracting. There were many times I had to stop and think about who Stephen, the narrator, was talking about. I do recommend you do give this one a read though. It is a truly beautiful, fascinating, heartbreaking tale.


Rating:

3.5 stars

{ Sunday Confessions - March 20, 2011}

It's time for another weekly meme started by Marcie over at To Read or Not To Read. This meme was started as a way for book bloggers to get to know one another with book and non-book related questions. This weeks question...

" What are your guilty pleasures? "

This is actually a hard one for me. I really had to think about it. I don't really have too many. I would say my number one is TEA! In any form. But I guess, there is really no guilt involved with this one! Of course right now I would also say Books! All I can say is thank God for the library. I go through a lot of books, but I only purchase ones that I would definitely read over and over again. That being said one of my book related guilty pleasures? The Immortal Instrument series and most definitely Jace. I am REALLY looking forward to The City of Bones movie being made and being released on DVD and if all our wishes come true and certain someone is cast as Jace? Then this is will become a hugh guilty pleasure...

Be sure to leave me a message with your guilty pleasures and be sure to stop by Marcie's blog and say hi too!

{ Green by Ted Dekker }

Green by Ted Dekker
2009 by Thomas Nelson

from GoodReads:

Travel between two worlds with Thomas Hunter. In Green, Thomas hasn't dreamt in years and the Circle is weakening because there's no sign of their Creator, Elyon. When Thomas' son, Samuel, loses the faith, evil from both worlds tempts him to initiate war. Will Thomas be able to save Samuel and the Circle?

review:

Green. The beginning or the end? I will have to admit that I am with the majority on this one. I truly believe if you plan to read this series, that you start with Black and end with Green. I think the experience of The Circle with be so much more enjoyable. Green was an amazing read as were the other 3 books, however, it was definitely the darkest out of the 4 books. Not necessarily a bad thing...just be forewarned that you are entering a very dark and evil world. I loved this series, but I am left utterly speechless. I will say this. I have never had a book or series of books leave me so utterly and completely exhausted as these. Emotionally, mentally and physically. Ted Dekker is a master at creating a world filled with both good and evil, light and dark and the struggles between them. I highly recommend reading The Circle series!!

After reading some other reviews, I have learned that his other series - Paradise and The Lost Books - are all connected. I will be adding them to my TBR list!! Thank you Ted Dekker

Rating: 5 Stars!

{ What's Your Status - March 19/2011 }

This is a weekly meme started by Zakiya over at Butterfly Feet Walking On Life. Each participant will share - 'what I've finished in the past week, what I am currently reading and where I am in the book/s, what I plan to read next, and possibly what I plan to buy/get.'

Now for my own status:

Finished this week:

White by Ted Dekker - you can read my review HERE.

Currently reading:

Green by Ted Dekker (pg 286) - Amazing thus far. I will post my review tomorrow!

Reading next week:

Touch by Alexi Zentner - I won an ARC copy from Goodreads!
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

What I plan to purchase next?

That is an easy one! City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare!! I am counting down the sleeps!

{ White by Ted Dekker }

White by Ted Dekker
2004 by WestBow Press

from GoodReads:

One of the highlights of the year in religious fiction has been Ted Dekker's striking color-coded spiritual trilogy. Exciting, well written, and resonant with meaning, Black, Red and now White have won over both critics and genre readers. In the conclusion of the series, plot surprises abound as Thomas Hunter frantically struggles to save two worlds from the ravages of war and virus. An epic journey completed with grace.

review:

First of all...Wow! I would not have thought it possible, but Ted Dekker has managed to make, White even more amazing than Black or Red. What an amazing journey. What an amazing story. I am always in awe of an author that can create a story, a world of such magnitude as this. But to create two?! This third installment was everything that the first two were...and more. The action, the adventure, the love story enveloping these two worlds? I am truly left speechless.

Ted Dekker is a master at creating a world of true good vs. evil. As a reader you are drawn into these two worlds and totally enveloped by the light and the dark. Many times after closing the cover, I found myself unsure if I was still within the story myself. Truly intoxicating.

Yes. This is an action packed thrill ride. Yes. This is a story for those who truly believe in God and his everlasting love. No. I am not a religious person...never have been. Yes. I believe that there is something in this book/series for everyone, whether you believe or not. One thing is for certain. I will look at my dreams in a whole new light!

rating: 5 Stars!!

{ Teaser Tuesday }

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Mizb over at shouldbereading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read

* Open to a random page

* Share two(2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

* Be careful to not include spoilers! (make sure that what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

* Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teaser!

My teaser:

" I'm going back for her."

" Then we're both going back for her," she said.

" I can't ask you to do that."

" You taught me to live for danger. And although no one knows it, I'm a sap for romance."

pg 205, White - The Circle - Book Three - The Great Pursuit by Ted Dekker

If you decide to play along leave me a comment so I can see your teaser. Make sure you head over to Should be reading as well and leave your link.

{ Sunday Confessions - March 13, 2001 }

Sunday Confessions is a weekly meme started by Marcie over at To Read or Not To Read. It is a way for everyone to get to know their fellow book bloggers.

This weeks question is one I hear a lot of talk about and I like to hear what every one's thoughts are on the subject.

" What do you do if a book does not grab your attention? "

Since I have discovered reading and YA books, this is a big one for me. I would like to say, yes, of course I finish everything I start! But no. There are sooooo many amazing books out there waiting to be read. If it does not grab me within the first few chapters? I can not waste my time on it. I have an ever growing list of 'to be read' books, that I will close the cover and go onto the next one. It has only ever happened a few times. And no. I do not feel bad about it at all. Not ever book is for everyone. I am sure there will be someone out there that will love that book. It just is not for me. With that said however, if I do receive a copy from an author or publisher for review? I would definitely give the book a full read even if it is not for me. I think they deserve my full attention if they are willing to put that book into my hands. Make sense? Well, it does to me. ;0)

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Let me know by leaving a comment here and then head over to Marcie's blog and leave her a comment too!

{Red by Ted Dekker }

Red by Ted Dekker

May 2004 by Westbow Press

from Goodreads:

" We have stepped off the cliff and are falling into Madness."

The mind-bending pace of Black accelerates in Red, Book Two of Ted Dekker's groundbreaking Circle trilogy. Less than a month ago, Thomas Hunter was a failed writer selling coffee at the Java Hut in Denver. Now he finds himself in the desperate quest to rescue two worlds from collapse. In one world, he's a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he's racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus.

Two worlds on the brink of destruction. One unthinkable solution.

Enter an adrenaline-laced epic where dreams and reality collide. Nothing is as it seems, as Black turns to Red.

Review:

This second installment was just as brilliant as the first one, Black. It all started even before the story began with this little message from the publishers...

"Dear Reader,

Thomas Hunter's story begins in Black, Book One of The Circle Trilogy. If you've yet to read Black, I strongly encourage you to start there. Red is far richer once you've fully experienced Thomas's initial journey into two realities. There are numerous plot twists that deserve grounding before you plunge into the pages ahead.

Once you've read Black, you're ready to step into Red. But be forewarned, nothing will prepare you - or Thomas - for what awaits him in this second book of epic trilogy."

Publisher,

WestBow Press

Does that not give you chills? Well, if you have read, Black, it will!! The second book was just as thrilling and jaw dropping. As the Publisher mentioned, there are some new plot twists, that I did not see coming and so very, very cool! This is such a hard book to review without giving away too much. So I won't really say much. If you are a fan of fast paced, edge of your seat, action, adventure? You will love this series. Once again there is the whole 'God' element to this book. And once again I found myself a little uncomfortable with certain aspects, but I understand where it is coming from and it would not be the story it is without them. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and very pumped for book 3, White.

Rating: 5 stars!

{ I won! }

I was very excited to learn today that I won an ARC copy of Memento Nora by Angie Smibert! I won this copy from Jen over at I Read Banned Books. I have read a number of reviews on this one over the past few weeks and am VERY excited to get my hands on a copy. So stay tuned for my own review coming soon. Thanks again Jen!

{ Teaser Tuesday - March 8th }

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted my Mizb over at Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* grad your current read

* open to a random page

* share two(2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

* Be Careful Not To Include Spoilers! (make sure you are not giving too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

* share the book and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like the teasers!

So here is my teaser...

'Dr. Myles Bancroft was a frumpy, short man with wrinkled slacks and facial hair poking out of his orifices, overall not the kind of man most people would associate with the Pulitzer Prize. He wore a small knowing grin that was immediately disarming - a good thing, considering what he played with.

People's minds.'

taken from pg 73 of RED - The Circle/Book Two - The Heroic Rescue by Ted Dekker

Okay I know. That was 3 sentences, but it was hard not to put that last one in too. ;0)

{ Sunday Confessions - March 6, 2011 }

I thought since I have started up this new book blog, why not jump in and play along with some of the weekly memes around the book blogging world. So today I thought I would join in with Sunday Confessions started by Marcie over at To Read or Not to Read. Today's question:

What do you do when you're not reading?

I guess besides spending time with my family it would have to be Paper Crafting. I have been making cards now for...what? Maybe 7 yrs? I have another blog for all my creations if you ever want to take a peak. You can find it HERE. I also do a little crocheting when the mood strikes and yes. I created a blog for that too. You can find that one HERE. I learned how to crochet when I was around 6 and have been doing it off an on since. I even taught my two girls how to this past summer.

Besides the hobbies, when the weather turns warmer, we like to enjoy a lot of time outdoors. Especially now that we have the dog...our Beagle, Rudy. Once summer arrives you will also find us doing a fair amount of camping.

Okay, now it's your turn. What do you do when you're not reading? If you decide to join in, please let me know by leaving a comment. Also, stop by

Marcie's blog and let her know too!

{ Torment by Lauren Kate }

Torment by Lauren Kate

September 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

From Goodreads:

Hell on Earth. That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel. It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts - immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students - Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something - something dangerous. What if Daniels version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else? The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series...where love never dies.

Review: *Note: May contain small spoilers *

Lets start with some positives. First off, I love the cover. A beautiful cover with a true feel for the title. I like the idea, the foundation of this story at it's core. A true love story. Yet, a story of how we sometimes let love swallow us whole. Forgetting who we are.

The setting for this second installment was beautiful. The extreme opposite from the first book. Shoreline, Luce's new 'school' is very cool. However, I did not find it all that believable. The whole idea of 'normal' kids together with the Nephilim kids is almost laughable. Are you telling me none of the 'normal' kids even once get a glimpse of a set of wings or anything else remotely odd? However, I guess I can over look it.

What I can not over look, however, is these two main characters. Luce and Daniel both are excruciatingly annoying. Honestly, I just wanted to shake them both and maybe a good smack to the head for good measure. I don't remember the last time I had so little attachment to a main character. I honestly could care less what happens to these two. The whole - hot one minute cold the next thing between these two was extremely drawn out and annoying. I understand where Lauren Kate, the author, was going with it, but it was just not played out well.

What was played well however, were most of the secondary characters. Shelby and Miles are new additions to the story and very likable. Miles was a great 'guy next door' and I found myself rooting for him more and more. Using his 'special' talent to save Luce in the final battle scene was a highlight. Shelby was a great character. Sarcastic, no nonsense kinda girl. Love her!

It all comes down to this. Would I recommend this book? I suppose. If you read Fallen and enjoyed it, then yes. If not, then no, probably not. I will probably read Passion, the third installment when it comes out this year. Why? To see if Lauren Kate can finally make me love Luce and Daniel.

Rating: 2 1/2 stars

{ Welcome }

Hello!

Welcome to the new blog. I decided to keep everything seperate. Why? Well...why not. If you are new to my blog and wondering what the heck I am talking about? I have two other blogs. One for my papercrafting(TracysHappyPlace) and one for my crocheting(MyAmigurumiHappyPlace).

Be sure to check out my 100 Book Challenge Page at the top to see what I am reading. I will be back soon with my first offical book review here on my blog.

Thanks for stoppin by...