Spies Like Me by Doug Solter blitz with giveaway
Spies Like Me
Doug Solter
(The Gems, #1)
Publication date: October 4th 2016
Genres: Adventure, Young Adult
Can she bring these girls together?
When she discovers her father’s plane crash wasn’t an accident, sixteen year old Emma wants to punish those responsible. Even if it means becoming a spy. The mysterious organization known simply as The Authority wants Emma to join the Gems. This team of all-girl spies knows how to handle themselves on dangerous missions…like stopping an evil plan to incinerate the world’s food supply.
Meet the Gems…
Olivia, code-named Emerald, is seventeen years old. Half English and half Jamaican. Specializes in leadership, marksmanship, and is a rated pilot.
Miyuki, code-named Ruby, is sixteen and from Okinawa, Japan. She specializes in gymnastics and martial arts. Trained in jungle survival and deep sea diving. Once blew up her boyfriend’s motorcycle using a rocket launcher.
Nadia, code-named Sapphire, is sixteen and from Saudi Arabia. She’s a science and computer nerd. Nadia’s zero-gravity school agriculture project created interest from NASA and the European Space Agency.
Emma, code-named Black Opal, specializes in high school theater and shopping.
Each girl comes from a different background. Each girl comes with different skills. Each girl comes with their own drama.
The Authority thinks Emma is the missing link to make this team work.
Emma thinks The Authority is her only chance for revenge.
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EXCERPT:
Emma led Ruby up the metal ladder inside the gigantic empty wine barrel. Both girls passed through the winery’s gift shop and went outside to the parking lot. Emma unlocked the doors of her car and the two girls climbed inside it.
“Mercedes AMG,” Rudy said. “How fast does it go?”
Emma pushed the start button. “I don’t know. I just got it a few months ago.”
“No speed?”
“I don’t like to drive like that.”
Ruby nodded. “Safety conscious.”
Emma rolled out of the parking lot and took California Highway 29 south out of Napa Valley towards Vallejo. As the car settled on a speed, Emma flipped on the cruise control. She gripped the leather-stitched steering wheel and exchanged a few glances at Ruby, who grinned. Normally Emma welcomed uncomfortable quiet over uncomfortable conversation, but Mrs. B was quite insistent that Emma should get to know this girl, so…
“Can you tell me your real name?”
Ruby shook her head. “Top secret.”
“Oh. Sorry. I’m new to all this spy stuff, so—”
Ruby covered her mouth as she laughed. “Only kidding. Messing with you. My real name is Miyuki.”
“Miyuki?”
“Mi-yu-ki. Yes, it’s Japanese for awesome girl from Okinawa.” She laughed again. “What is your name, Black Opal?”
“Emma.”
“What does Emma mean in English?”
“I have no idea.” Emma thought about it. “It’s English for normal girl who loves books and puppies, I guess. I’m boring.”
“You forgot to add pulls hair like a mother-trucker.” Miyuki laughed again. Her laugh was so rich and genuine. Something a person could get addicted to.
Miyuki talked all the way from Vallejo, through Berkeley, and over the bridge to San Francisco. She told Emma about the Gems and how they moved here from London, where they were stationed previously. About how much she looked forward to seeing America. About how Emma’s habit of not looking before changing lanes was a tad dangerous.
“I know. I keep forgetting there might be a car over there.” Emma checked her side mirror as they reached the end of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Miyuki’s eyes lit up like a little girl. “So beautiful. San Francisco is so beautiful.”
Emma focused on the traffic, which could get tricky heading into the city. Miyuki continued to point out every fascinating thing she saw out the window. There was no desperate need to be loved in Miyuki’s voice. No compromising herself in some attempt to get Emma to like her more. Miyuki said whatever she was thinking at the top of her head, and Emma found it refreshing.
Emma led Miyuki into the San Francisco Centre Mall and the girl’s eyes were dazzled by the five indoor floors of shopping.
Author Bio:
Doug Solter lives in Oklahoma where he writes young adult novels full of escapism. He’s also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Doug respects cats, loves the mountains, and one time walked the streets of Barcelona with a smile on his face.
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Blood Bound by Traci Douglass
Blood Bound by Traci Douglass
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Anna Frost is worried about her twin sister Liz and the police don’t seem to care to help her. Taking matters into her own hands Anna finds herself in the middle of the Otherworld biker gang the Blood Ravagers looking for answers.
Liz meets Dante, a half demon half human who hides his mixed bloodline but is now second-in-command of the Blood Ravagers. Dante’s key to survival for hundreds of years has been to hide his humanity but now Liz starts to bring out a side of him that could prove dangerous to both of them.
Blood Bound was a book that while it held events happening with the characters that I’m not a huge fan of I still found the story involved to be interesting enough to keep reading. With a world in which demons and magic involved along with long standing politics that bring controversy into the mix the story itself along with the writing was quite good.
I wasn’t a huge fan of Anna during the start of this story. As I mentioned there are some actions involved I’m not a fan of and I just didn’t seem to connect to her well. As the book progresses though the action picks up and that is what held my attention the most more than the characters involved.
Overall, an ok read for me, good writing with an interesting story from the paranormal genre.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Maythorn’s Wish (The Fey Quartet Book 1) by Emily Larkin
Maythorn’s Wish by Emily Larkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In a little village nestled and hidden that is close to a faerie realm lives the widow Miller and her daughters. Years ago the widow’s husband had abused his family and then stumbled into a pond and drowned leaving them to live with their wounds and fend for themselves.
One day the widow comes across a baby in the woods that is in danger of drowning and when she saves her she finds that this is no ordinary child but a faerie babe. Now the fae only have one child each generation so saving this baby will put the mother in the widow’s debt so she asks for wishes for her and her daughter’s for the safe return.
Maythorn’s Wish is the first book in the Fey Quartet series which I do believe are a set of novellas that are somewhat of a prologue to another upcoming series. I do believe each of these novellas are meant to read as standalone stories though focusing on different characters and their stories.
There was actually quite a bit packed into this short little novella so hat’s off to the author of doing a wonderful job with the world and character building along with an interesting little plot in such a short time. Normally there feels to be something left out or rushed through but I really enjoyed this one the way it is with great writing to support and interesting story.
Overall, a nice start to this series and will definitely be interested in reading other books by this author in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Sweetly, Deeply, Absolutely by Kira Archer
Sweetly, Deeply, Absolutely by Kira Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jenny Boyd has decided to come home for the summer over her school break in Paris to have sort of working vacation helping out in the bakery at home. When she gets back though Jenny goes out for a night of fun and runs into the sexy Jared Crew and one thing leads to another between the pair but what Jenny doesn’t realize is she already knew Jared and he’s not just a sexy stranger.
Jenny and Jared are both young and commitment phobic free spirits but after their wild night together they have a bit of a scare that brings them to take a look at how they lead their lives. Working and spending time together while they wait for answers the two form a bond but will this wild and carefree pair be ready to mature and grow together?
Sweetly, Deeply, Absolutely was a very interesting idea to write a story around. As much as most romance and/or erotic books these days include promoting protection in today’s society there is always the chance that things just may go wrong and with today’s free spirited relationships this could lead to bigger problems.
This book probably would have made a five star read for me with the different twist on a relationship forming but it came down to the one thing that bothers me with romance reads. Our main character just has to have that last moment of angst and jumping to conclusions when for the most part both of the pair had been pretty level headed until then. I’m not quite sure why women in stories always have to jump to conclusions because it certainly portrays them in a bad light.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that while still on the light side our couple tackles a big dilemma that brings them together.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Dawn of the Vie by Laura Diamond blitz with giveaway
Dawn of the Vie
Laura Diamond
(Immortal Aliens, #1)
Published by: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication date: October 3rd 2016
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Since their Arrival less than 30 years ago, immortal Vie rule the planet like the super-predators they are. Enslaved humans are their servants…their entertainment…and their food. Anemies—humans with various types of anemia—are simply exterminated. Their nutritionally deficient blood is useless to the Vie.
Or so it’s thought…
_________
Alex, an Elite Vie, is a bit of a Renaissance Alien. Part scientist, part Raid Specialist, part drug addict, he knows Anemie blood is valuable. Rather than blindly carrying out his boss’s kill order, he convinces some colleagues to spare a few Anemies, not only for study, but also to reserve a secret stock.
The more Anemie blood Alex drinks, the more he slips into delusion, and the more his double life threatens to crumble. But quitting Anemie blood is not an option. Every Anemie has their own personal flavor. Each gives a unique high.
When Alex takes a hit of Justin’s blood, his hallucinations bleed into reality…
_________
Anemie Justin knows his little sister, Sammie, and he are living past their expiration dates. It becomes a guarantee when they’re bitten by a Vie named Alex during a raid. (The bite is fatal, thanks to a toxin carried in Vie saliva.) Alex adds insult to injury by promising Justin a second chance—an antidote in exchange for agreeing to be a lab rat.
And a mule…of his own blood.
When Justin says no, Alex takes off with Sammie.
All Justin has to do is find them, beat Alex, and cure himself and Sammie. All he has is a stake and serious lack of self-preservation.
No problem.
_________
Alex wants Justin’s blood.
Justin wants his sister back.
GAME ON.
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EXCERPT:
I hated afternoons the most. Soon after came darkness—the time when a raiding squad could snatch you out of bed and drain all the blood from your body. It was amazing that any Anemies survived with the extermination campaign ridding the world of us red blood cell-deficient freaks.
I gently squeezed my sister’s hand to make sure she kept up. Dirt caked under her fingernails like it caked under mine. The cuff of her torn sleeve had stains like mine. Her pant cuffs were rolled up six times… also like mine. A younger version of me—mouthiness and all—in girl form. Unlike me, Sammie tended to dawdle, and since we held onto the last rung of the society ladder by the tips of our fingers, giving in to distraction could get us hurt—or killed.
My gaze jumped to the pale, indifferent sky then jittered to the partially constructed biodome edge as I walked. Large, clear panels filled the metal framework in a beehive of hexagons. Eventually, the damn thing would cover the entire city, including the river surrounding the island and part of the ocean capping the south side. The project had been progressing since before I was born.
Once the construction workers completed the biodome, Vie wouldn’t have to fear the destructive UV rays of our sun and could wander freely during the day. We’d have no safe period whatsoever. Vie could get us any time.
Author Bio:
Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist currently specializing in emergency psychiatry. She is also an author of all things young adult—both contemporary and paranormal. An avid fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and anything magical, she thrives on quirk, her lucid dreams, and coffee. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found sniffing books and drinking a latte at the bookstore or at home pondering renovations on her 225 year old fixer upper, all while obeying her feline overlords, of course.
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