Book Review~The Three Day Affair by Michael Kardos

A yearly golf, reunion weekend for three friends goes terribly wrong when they find themselves holed up in an old recording studio holding a cashier from a local convenience store hostage. They quickly realize that even though they have no reason to keep her, they can't just let her go. All of their lives would be ruined when she goes to the cops. They frantically watch for news that the clerk has gone missing, but nothing is reported on TV. The realization that their hostage is not, and probably will not, be missed leaves them wondering how far they will go to keep this secret.
This was a good read, filled with lots of action and a nice little twist at the end.

Thanks to Grove/Atlantic, Inc., The Mysterious Press and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~Dark Magic by James Swain

If you're a fan of magic, wizardry, and that sort of thing, this one will hook you in. It's not particularly well-written, but has enough suspense to make you want to know how it'll all work out.

Peter Warlock's parents were murdered when he was just a young boy, so he's been raised by his Aunt Milly. He now has a successful one man magic show in New York City where he does some respectable magic tricks while also using his psychic abilities to do some mind reading. Every Friday night, he gathers with a group of psychics to conduct a seance. When he sees a future where Times Square is filled with people falling to their deaths, he is led into a dangerous battle with the Order of Astrum. Peter soon discovers his evolving powers are not only linked to the Order, but to his parents' death as well.

Thanks to Tor/Forge and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~All He Saw Was The Girl by Peter Leonard

McCabe and Chip, two college students studying abroad in Italy, end up in jail one night after a drunken Chip steals a taxi for a little joy ride. Luckily, Chip's wealthy father bails them out, but the escapade doesn't go unnoticed by the press. McCabe soon finds himself mistaken for Chip and kidnapped by the Italian mafia. That about sums it up. Unfortunately, there's really not that much more to it. It wasn't the most horrible book I've ever read, but the writing was amateurish, the story was predictable, felt forced and fell flat. I was surprised by all those who were impressed with it, saying the apple didn't fall far from the tree with his father being Elmore Leonard.

Thanks to The Story Plant and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Four orphan boys find themselves bought by a nobleman named Conner, and they are unsure of what he has planned. While traveling to Conner's home, they discover their lives are on the line when suddenly there are only three of them left. The nobleman soon lets the boys in on his plan--he wants to try to pass the boys off as the long, lost Prince Jaron in two weeks time.

The story is told by Sage, a strong-willed, defiant, boy who does not want to be prince, but does not wish to be killed either. He befriends one of Conner's men and a kitchen maid named Imogen who pretends she is mute to avoid Conner's advances and only speaks to Sage.

It's a cute story and I enjoyed it. It was a refreshing change from all the dystopian and paranormal books that are being published right now. Seems that it would appeal most to middle-aged readers, maybe in the 8-12 year old range.

Much thanks to Shelf Awareness and Scholastic for providing an advanced copy.

Book Review~Caring is Creepy by David Zimmerman

So not what I expected...the author took the story and ran away with it-in the opposite direction than I would've guessed.

When Lynn and her friend Dani started chatting with people online, they decided to make a game out of it. One of the main rules of the game was that they wouldn't identify their true identities. Lynn wasn't really sure why but she did give her real name to a soldier named Logan who was in hid mid-twenties while she was just about to enter high school. After Lynn and Logan met, things got a bit out of control. Logan went AWOL and ended up sneaking into Lynn's house to stay until morning when he would figure out what he was going to do. Within a few days, Lynn had him trapped in a tiny, secret  room in the back of her closet naked.

While this was all going on, Lynn's mother's boyfriend Hayes, had gotten into some trouble when he bungled up a drug deal and the guys he screwed were looking at Lynn's house for him. Lynn soon becomes tangled in her mother and Hayes mess while still trying to keep her own secret.

Thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press for access to this title. 

Book Review~Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi

As a flu epidemic seems to be killing or infecting everyone that hasn't had the AIDS vaccine, Peyton realizes the boy who has been crushing on her forever is actually a decent guy. Decent enough, in fact, to fall in love with. When Peyton's dad tells her that she carries the secret to stopping the plague, she decides to go into the shelter instead of leaving town with Chris, breaking both their hearts.

When she surfaces four years later, her sole mission is to head to Disney World to meet up with her father. Peyton soon finds herself bringing along a rag tag group of children and the boy whose heart she broke on her journey. 

Though a decent zombie story, it shares a lot of similarities with Maberry's Rot & Ruin. I know plenty of kids that will thoroughly enjoy it, even though some of it felt a bit forced. For Chase/Chris to be the very first human for Peyton to see after four years in the shelter was a little too convenient. I actually considered stopping reading right there. The only reason I'm glad I did finish was so I have something to go on when I suggest the book to my students.

Thanks to NetGalley and NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC for access to this title.

Book Review~Give Death a Chance: The British Zombie Invasion 2 by Alan Goldsher

I like zombie books, I really do. But, this may well have been the stupidest book I have ever read. I don't know if it would've been any better if I read the first one. The whole thing was just ridiculous. I just couldn't wait for it to be over. I kept hoping it would get a little better, something would happen that would redeem the book, but no luck. Sitting here now, I'm just wondering what the Beatles would think of this book-would they laugh about it or be hugely insulted???

Thanks to NetGalley and BooGoo Press, INscribe Digital for access to this title.

Book Review~Lassiter: A Novel by Paul Levine

A bit like a Law & Order episode-kind of predictable (especially the ending). Lassiter has always felt guilty about some of the flings he had back in his football days, but when Amy confronts him about being involved in her sister's disappearance, he decides he's going to have to do some digging into the past, which will not be pretty. Lassiter soon discovers it's not just the undesirables in the porn industry with something to hide.


Thanks to Bantam House and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~The Dispatcher by Ryan David Jahn

This was the start of a good run of adult suspenseful thrillers on my reading list. I had heard about this title from somewhere and was thrilled when I saw it on NetGalley. It was a good read that took hold right in the beginning and was like a roller coaster ride-you want it to be over, but at the same time you don't want it to stop!

There may well be nothing in the world stronger than a father's love. Ian Hunt proves this again and again throughout this book. To begin with, even though his daughter was kidnapped seven years ago, he never gave up hope that she could be alive. Though it may be a little unbelievable that a father would be able to identify his daughter's voice after seven years, this can be forgiven once one gets caught up in the chase to reunite father and daughter. I know I really enjoyed reading this, but now that I sit here trying to write about it, the incredulity of the story seems abundant. That being said, it really is a thrill-ride and I can forgive the far-fetched little details in exchange for an engaging read.

Thanks to Penguin Group USA, Penguin Books, and NetGalley for access to this title.

Book Review~The Ninth Step by Barbara Taylor Sissel

I have to say this is another one where the cover did not do the story justice at all! One could easily pass right by this one and miss a hidden gem. The angst that Livie feels from the devastating day when her fiance, Cotton, up and disappeared on her is so palpable, you can taste it. I'm not quite sure how Sissel managed to make me feel sorry for Livie without pitying her at the same time. The idea that Cotton could actually try to walk back into Livie's life paired with the fact that she might just let him is almost too much to bear. And, if getting caught up in how Livie and Cotton's relationship will untangle itself wasn't enough, then the reasons behind Cotton's leaving, and eventual return, are sure to pull you in...definitely recommend this one!

Thanks to Barbara Taylor Sissel, AuthorBuzz, and NetGalley for access to this title.