K.A. Tucker EXCITING News!

Fans of K.A. Tucker's Ten Tiny Breaths, we have a SUPER exciting announcement:

On September 1, 2014, Atria is releasing a PREQUEL NOVELLA to Ten Tiny Breaths that tells the story from Trent's point of view! It's called IN HER WAKE, and we cannot wait one more breath to read it!

About IN HER WAKE:  

Cole Reynolds had it all. And then one night he makes a bad choice... and loses everything. When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he'd be able to lean on his best friends. The best friends that have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they're gone. Worse, there's the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys. Everyone assures him that they know it wasn't intentional and yet he can't ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. The all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won't so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip of what once was important-college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It's not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness. And there's only one person who can give that to him... 

 Are you as excited about this as we are?? And...this is going to be available at the great price of $.99!!

Here are the pre-order links for In Her Wake

Amazon

iTunes

Simon And Schuster

And while you're at it, pre-order the gorgeous paperback of FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE, hitting bookstores on 4/1!

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Indiebound * BooksaMillion * Simon & Schuster

About FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE:

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine year old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown- eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that. Twenty-two-year old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting anddancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her doesn’t need to complicate her life with romance. Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

ABOUT K.A. TUCKER: 

 Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.   

  LINKS: 

Blog: http://www.katucker.blogspot.ca/ 

 Website: http://www.katuckerbooks.com/ 

 Author Facebook: http:// www.facebook.com/#!/K.A.Tucker.Author?fref=ts 

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleenatucker 

 Author Goodreads: http:// www.goodreads.com/author/show/4866520.K_A_Tucker 

FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17571140-four-seconds-to-lose? ac=1 

Atria: http://imprints.simonandschuster.biz/ atria

The Cellar by Natasha Preston

The Cellar by Natasha Preston
Release Date - March 1, 2014
Publisher Website - Raincoast Books/Sourcebooks Fire
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 368 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Nothing ever happens in the town of Long Thorpe – that is, until sixteen-year-old Summer Robinson disappears without a trace. No family or police investigation can track her down. Spending months inside the cellar of her kidnapper with several other girls, Summer learns of Colin’s abusive past, and his thoughts of his victims being his family…his perfect, pure flowers. But flowers can’t survive long cut off from the sun, and time is running out…

The Cellar is the stuff of nightmares. An edge of your seat read that kept my attention right up to it's somewhat rushed ending. A story of an heart stopping horror that is all too easily imagined. It creates a kind of tension that lingers, because it haunts you.

Summer is an average girl. She has a family who loves her, a boyfriend she cares about, and friends. She lives in a quiet town where nothing happens. Nothing, that is, until she's kidnapped. Her harrowing, chilling time held captive is the main portion of the novel, and it was exactly what it needed to be. It's tense, stomach churning, and bleak. The author makes Colin brutal, unhinged, and doesn't tone this aspect of the novel down. As his unraveling and paranoia grow, so does the tension felt within the reader. As the girls grow more unsteady, so does the reader. It's a compelling way to immerse the reader into the story. It allows them to place themselves in Summer's shoes, perhaps all too easily.

Summer's will to survive was impressive. She fought to retain her sense of self as everything unraveled around her. She and her follow captives did their best to help each other, and did form an interesting bond. Each of the girls was in various states and conditions. We get to see Summer's transformation and what kind of toll this situation would take on a person. As the time she's spent in captivity lengthens, it becomes an interesting look at desperation, and just how damaging going through something like this can be. Surviving is the main focus for these girls, and this novel shows exactly how strong the self preservation impulse is.

The tension really is the strongest aspect of the novel. As a result of the author being willing to allow her psychopath to truly be one, the reader is kept on edge. It's never clear if Summer is going to make it out. There are multiple narrators and you realize quickly that you could lose any of the characters during the events of the novel. Too often you don't feel that fear for the main character (or characters). It never feels like the stakes are high enough. I did with this novel. I felt that fear every second Colin was around.

Colin's chapters are engrossing, and fascinating. The author manages to capture his unsettling mind with vivid clarity. She steps into it with unflinching ease. It adds another layer to an already intriguing story and I really appreciated his perspective, as uncomfortable as it was to be is head.

There were moments where I wanted to explore other characters more than the novel allowed. We see a pattern emerge, and we see the beginning of that pattern, but inner workings of a certain character's minds remained illusive. I wanted to especially know more about each of the other 'flowers' Summer grows attached to.

The only issue, for me, was the end. I felt it came across as a little rushed. The end few pages were realistic and offered an ending that felt right for the story, however compared with the pacing of the rest of the novel it felt off. It created a disjointed ending that left me unsatisfied.

I've heard that this may end up being a series. My hope is that they are companion novels rather than a 'what happens next' type of sequel, as I felt this one wrapped things up rather quickly. I would welcome another novel exploring this novel's aftermath if only to see what it means for the characters. If this is the route the author plans to take, it could enhance the story nicely.

A creepy, unsettling look at being captive. The crushing reality of holding on to hope, while slowly losing yourself is wonderfully explored, but the ending felt rather quick. Fans of tense atmosphere, and story driven novel that allows you to get to know the characters should check this one out.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

I've had an awesome mailbox this week!

Conversion By Katherine Howe (goodreads)

Tease by Amanada Maciel (goodreads)

Veronica Mars : The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Penguin Canada for Conversion. A modern twist on the Salem witch trials?! YES PLEASE! A huge thank you to Harper Collins Canada for Tease. I've heard it's a different take on the topic of bullying. Lastly, a huge thank you to Random House Canada for the Veronica Mars book. I've only recently been introduced to the awesomeness that is Veronica (I still want to punch Logan in the face, okay? That's how new I am) but I can't wait to read this.

I also have one e-galley for review

The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa (goodreads)

I am so excited to see how this series ends! A big thank you to Harlequin Teen for the review copy.

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week. Short and sweet this week!

BOOKS

Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini

The first book in the Worldwalker Trilogy has a cover! This twist on Salem, and witches sounds delightful. The synopsis will have you dying to get your hands on it, and I do love the cover.

OTHER

Heathers - The Musical 

I have tickets! Not only do I have tickets, but they are front row tickets! Kelly (from Kellyvision) and I are eagerly anticipating going to see this. It's a little surreal to have tickets already. I can't get over that we were able to secure them for a great price, and FRONT ROW!

So what are you obsessed with this week?

TV Talk With Kelly - Bates Motel

As you may know Kelly, from Kellyvision, and I are doing TV recaps. We recapped American Horror Story: Coven on her blog, and now we're recapping Bates Motel (season 2) on mine. Please note, this is more our reactions/thoughts than a true recap, and obviously there will be SPOILERS!

Kelly is everything in blue, and I am the other colour (is it brown? Whatever it is).

**********************************************************************************************************

BATES MOTEL - Season 2, episode 2 - Shadow of a Doubt

Norman is being reasonable. He wants to know what is going on before he helps Bradley. She wants money (to run obviously) and Norman is trying to be rational about this.

OMG, is she in the fruit cellar?! Psycho parallel! (No one dies there, but Mother hangs out from time to time.)

So Bradley thinks she killed the person who killed her father. My money is on her being wrong.

I love Norman's non-reaction.

Awkward. Norma is asking her gynecologist about blackouts. I love the doctor’s quip of ‘This is not my area of expertise’. No kidding.

Poor Norma. I love the defeated "No, that's okay."

So Dylan and his ‘work associates’ think that someone took out the guy that Bradley killed. It’s kind of funny that they assume this is some plot from a rival group, and really it’s a teenage girl having a mental breakdown.

Yeah, "teenage girl" tends to not make the list of suspects.

This town has super shady cops. They look the other way for so much. ‘I tolerate certain things’. They even admit it. That’s right - Are you putting this much effort into finding Ms. Watson’s killer? Because honestly.

Agreed. Wouldn't you try harder to solve a murdered teacher than someone in the drug trade? That guy is so creepy.

HAHAHA! Norman’s face when Norma asks him if he wants to do a musical. She’s trying to distract him and ‘get him out of the basement’. Norman looks REALLY uncomfortable by the idea.

"We sing all the time!" "We really don't, mother."

Calling Bradley unstable is an understatement, Norman. He’s obviously hiding her, or has already helped her escape. I love that Dylan basically knows too.

It IS weird that the mom called him...unless she's worried he may have done something. She knew he and Bradley aren't close.

Future Norman Bates comes through when Freddie Highmore smiles creepily like that (or maybe I just see it as creepy). He took delight in that conversation. Do you think he thinks Dylan believed him? I don’t think so. I am pretty sure Dylan thinks he’s lying.

He definitely has a creepy smile. And yes, Dylan definitely knows he's lying.

Awww. Norman is having a meet cute (except because of who he is - creepy). I am sad that he hasn't really had any interaction with Emma yet this season. I liked them together. I think he’s going to be into this new girl eventually though.

I love Emma so much! Why can't he love Emma? She's pretty AND not awful. Nice meet cute but I prefer Emma. And God, way to be a creeper, Norman.

I kind of want Norma to find Bradley. Nothing good can come from this, and it’s better that it gets dealt with now. She’s still going on about the play. Give it up, Norma.

Bradley, hide better.

Moments like this, where Norman and Norma seem so ‘normal’ actually break my heart. We know what is coming, and in these moments I like them. They seem happy. It just makes you wonder how we get to Psycho (which is, obviously, the point of the show). They do a good job of making you care about him, even though we know he’s going to become a serial killer.

I love them together too. They're so cute! (Fun fact: Mr. Sandman is all over Halloween II.) I buy them as mother and son and I hate that I know how horribly the story ends.

So this random guy slept with Blair Watson before she died. Ugh, I hate this guy already “Was mine the only sample you found?” DOUCHE. It seems we may have a few suspects before we get the real murderer. *still saying Norman didn't do it*

I agree. I hope we find out before the season ends.

Good Lord, is everyone in this town a killer?

I've said it before, Norman is WAY too nice to Bradley. She actually shocked me by saying thank you for what he’s been doing. She’s been awful to him.

YES. Go away, Bradley. I'm also shocked she thanked him. Ugh, Bradley, you're so manipulative. I hate you.

All these new people appearing in this episode. Poor Dylan. He’s got himself into a situation that is going to get himself killed. I like you, Dylan. You are not allowed to die. Maybe stop hanging with killers, and drug people.

Dylan's one of mine, too. Don't die, Dylan.

OMG! OMG! OMG! Norma found the pearls!! She knows. I wonder how she is going to handle this. I think hide it, try to conceal, and continue on.

I know! I agree. She's totally like, "Nope! Didn't see this!"

If Bradley leaves town, does this mean we don’t have to deal with her anymore?! Oh please, let this happen. Norman is antsy because he is suppose to meet Bradley.

I sincerely hope so.

Oh, Norman-as-musical-actor. This makes me happy.

This conversation. This right here between Norman and Norma, is why I love this show. Freddie Highmore is brilliant in this scene. She’s hiding things, he is hiding things, and neither wants to admit it. Now that it’s out in the open, I see how incapable she is of dealing with this. She should be making hard decisions, but can’t. This is why Dylan needs to step in. How much could have been different if Norman had gotten therapy at this age? It’s interesting.

Best scene ever. Vera Farmiga is amazing.

I love that he turned to Dylan to help with the Bradley situation.

Yes. Love his reaction, too. Oh, poor Dylan. They killed that guy for no reason.

Wow, love this song Norma's singing. That's her in a nutshell.

So the cop is just going to charge this guy without real, solid evidence. Not surprised. Not in this town. Does this cop know something and is wanting to get this case closed as soon as possible?

I think he probably figures even if he didn't do that, he's still guilty.

Dylan is taking care of Bradley. He is, possibly, my favourite character on this show.

I want Norman to date Emma. I like Emma.

Same. She's my favorite.

Goodbye, Bradley. I have a feeling you’ll be back soon (unfortunately).

Agreed. :(

Oooh, chills. That shot of Norma in the window. Classic Psycho.

Yes! I love the nods to Psycho.

What the heck? More new people. He’s Norma’s BROTHER!! WHAT?! He attacked her right? Am I not remembering that right? That’ll be one messed up reunion. If he did assault her, I bet ANYTHING Norman kills him. I can’t wait for next week now.

Yeah. He's dead already. He just doesn't know it.

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends.

This weeks question is:

Spring is in the air! Show off your favorite outdoors reading spot. If you don’t go outside...well where else do you read that isn’t inside your house? We want pics!

The Ottawa Canal has many pretty spots along it to sit and read (and people watch). It's one of my favourites in the summer (with ice cream!).

Happy Weekend!

Cover Reveal ..... Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake

I am thrilled to be helping reveal the cover for Kendare Blake's new novel, Mortal Gods. I loved the first book in the series, Antigoddess, quite a bit. I also loved her previous series (Anna Dressed in Blood).

The Goddess War trilogy recently underwent a cover redesign. I love the original concept, but also really love the new covers as well.

Check out the cover for Mortal Gods

The lightning is awesome, and the colour scheme is also really striking! I cannot wait to see how this relates to the plot because the redesigned Antigoddess one has little elements in it that are important to the story (the feathers...*shivers*)

Be sure to add it to your Goodreads.

Here is a little about the first novel in the Goddess War series - Antigoddess

Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

You can find Kendare on Twitter, and her blog if you want more information about any of her books.

Let me know in the comments what you think of the cover!