Wither by Lauren DeStefano

From the back cover: "Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out. When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home. But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left."

First, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. While the premise sounded very interesting I have been let down by books in the past. This book does not disappoint! The characters are very believable and so is the situation they are in. Even though this book is considered scifi in my opinion, it is very easy to imagine something like this becoming a reality. This one kept me guessing til the end. What decision will Rhine make? Will she runaway and escape the life she was drug into or will she allow herself to fall in love with her "husband" and live out her days with him? Definately worth the read and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Simon Schuster. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

From the back cover: "Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills her prescription. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, someone is stealing the car - with her inside! Griffen hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne; all he planned to do was take the car. But once Griffen's dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes - now there's a reason to keep her. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare? She's not only sick - she's BLIND!"

This book is very good for young adults. I was expecting the book to start out with some back story on Cheyenne and her family but it jumps right into the action. Cheyenne is blind and sick with pneumonia. She is in her step-mom's car waiting on her to fill her prescription. Meanwhile the car is stolen with Cheyenne in it. I was surprised at how much fight Cheyenne had in her. She doesn't back down from anyone. The book follows her through her captivity while giving you glimpses of her life before she was blind and what caused it. We also learn more about her abductor Griffen (who didn't mean to kidnap her at all). Through the story we come to feel sorry for Griffen and he and Cheyenne form a kind of friendship. Cheyenne being blind put an interesting twist on the story which I enjoyed. Overall a good read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Macmillan Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review and Giveaway! ~ Radiance by Alyson Noel

From the back cover: Riley has crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. She has picked up life where she left off when she was alive, living with her parents and dog in a nice house in a nice neighborhood. When she’s summoned before The Council, she learns that the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a possibly cute, seemingly nerdy boy who’s definitely hiding something. They return to earth together for Riley’s first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . . 

At first this book sounded like it would be a cute story. However I had not previously read Evermore and didn't realize at the time that this book is a continuation of sorts. It took me almost the whole book to "figure out" the back story. You definately want to read Evermore first. Now, taking all of that into account, overall I enjoyed the book but it just isn't the type of book I would normally read. It started out very light and interesting as we see Riley getting use to the Here and Now and finding out what her role (or job) will be. Once she is assigned as soul catcher, I thought we would see her go through some training or a little more in depth about where she was and what "life" will be like for her. Instead however we find her on her first assignment and that's where the book takes a dark turn. If you are into that kind of thing then this would be a great book for you. Riley is a very spunky girl and I loved her view on things. I did like the ending (I won't give it away) and this series will be a great teen read.

Now for the giveaway.....  This book is coming out on August 31. I will pick one winner (randomly) to win my ARC copy of Radiance on August 31. This book was only read once by me and still looks brand new, no creases! To enter the contest please sign up as a follower to my blog and then post a comment telling me your favorite mystery author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Macmillan Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Tower, The Zoo and The Tortoise

"Balthazar Jones has lived in the Tower of London with his loving wife, Hebe, and his 120-year-old pet tortoise for the past eight years. That’s right, he is a Beefeater (they really do live there). It’s no easy job living and working in the tourist attraction in present-day London. Among the eccentric characters who call the Tower’s maze of ancient buildings and spiral staircases home are the Tower’s Rack & Ruin barmaid, Ruby Dore, who just found out she’s pregnant; portly Valerie Jennings, who is falling for ticket inspector Arthur Catnip; the lifelong bachelor Reverend Septimus Drew, who secretly pens a series of principled erot­ica; and the philandering Ravenmaster, aiming to avenge the death of one of his insufferable ravens. When Balthazar is tasked with setting up an elaborate menagerie within the Tower walls to house the many exotic animals gifted to the Queen, life at the Tower gets all the more interest­ing. Penguins escape, giraffes are stolen, and the Komodo dragon sends innocent people running for their lives. Balthazar is in charge and things are not exactly running smoothly. Then Hebe decides to leave him and his beloved tortoise “runs” away. Filled with the humor and heart that calls to mind the delight­ful novels of Alexander McCall Smith, and the charm and beauty of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise is a magical, wholly origi­nal novel whose irresistible characters will stay with you long after you turn the stunning last page."

I had my doubts about this one at first because it is not a book I would normally choose to read. However, just a few pages in and I was already hooked. The book made me laugh and cry. It is quirky and fun. I loved the "sweet revenge" at the end. It is worth the read! The author did a wonderful job of weaving all the stories and characters together. The overall theme is love and finding happiness which came through beautifully. This was one of those books that when I finished it I felt like the story was over. It didn't leave me frustrated because the story line didn't end, which I liked. Overall a great read and definately recommended!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from DoubleDay Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Mary Higgins Clark: Just Take My Heart

From the Back Cover: "After famous actress Natalie Raines is found in her home, dying from a gunshot wound, police immediately suspect her theatrical agent and jealous soon-to-be-ex-husband, Gregg Aldrich. But no charges are brought against him until two years later, when a career criminal suddenly claims Aldrich had tried to hire him to kill her. The case is a plum assignment for attractive thirty-two-year-old assistant prosecutor Emily Wallace. She spends long hours preparing for the trial, and unaware of a seemingly well-meaning neighbor's violent past, gives him a key to her home to care for her dog.  The high-profile trial makes headlines, threatning to reveal personal matters about Emily, such as the fact that she had a heart transplant-- especially when she experiences eerie sentiments that defy all reason and continue even after the jury decides Gregg Aldrich's fate.  But little does she know, now her own life is at risk..."

First let me just say that if you are a fan of Mary Higgins Clark then you will really like this one. One of my new favorites! This book has a great cast of characters, many of which seem to have their own little secret. We follow the story of Emily Wallace who is the prosecutor in the case of Gregg Aldrich who is accused of killing his wife. Her primary witness however is a repeat offender with a less than stellar character. We also learn that Emily had a heart transplant. I wish we had learned more about this time in her life as well as more info about the loss of her husband in Iraq. Another side story of interest is Emily's creepy neighbor Zach, who talks Emily into letting him dogsit for he while she is so busy working on the case.  Masterfully written, this book keeps you guessing until the end!