Arranged by Catherine McKenzie

Sorry to be short today, readers. I'm operating on fumes and severe lack of sleep. But I wanted to share a new release from one of my favorite new authors today! Catherine McKenzie's Spin was fantastic -- the kind of book I was desperately in need of and didn't know it. With just one book, this author became not only a must read for me but a drop everything to read. McKenzie's latest, Arranged, officially hits shelves Tuesday, May 15 in the States. And I'm waiting with bated breath for the release of Forgotten in October (out now in Canada).

It seems fate has stepped in when Anne Blythe discovers a business card for what she believes is a dating service straight on the heels of catching her boyfriend cheating. "Blythe and Company," the card reads, "Arrangements made." A few chance encounters with exes and the announcement that her best friend is getting married prompt Anne to call and set up an appointment. She soon discovers that Blythe and Company is not a dating service at all. They arrange marriages. But is Anne really ready for such a commitment?

I love McKenzie's writing. As with Spin, she has once again created a leading lady readers like me can believe in and connect with. And while Arranged is certainly a contemporary romance in part, it's also a thought-provoking read -- how far would you go to meet the man of your dreams and how much would you be willing to forgive if that person wasn't what you'd imagined?

I, Iago by Nicole Galland

One of my favorite things as a book junkie is discovering new authors to feed my habit. In my bookseller days, this discovery happened in talking to customers and shelving new arrivals, which usually meant all of my bookseller income was fed directly back into the store in purchases. Nicole Galland was a bookseller discovery of mine back in 2006 when Revenge of the Rose was released.  

Revenge was fantastic. A truly fun and amusing historical read that made Galland a stand out for me. So when the opportunity to review I, Iago came along, I jumped!

Anyone familiar with Othello will know Iago as the antagonist. He devises a plan of revenge after being slighted by Othello, his general and friend. In the end Othello's wife, Desdemona, is dead at Othello's hand. Iago's wife, Emilia, is dead at Iago's hand. Iago murders his childhood friend, Roderigo, and Othello commits suicide. But what led up to the event? What in Iago's past has made him the man who causes all of this grief? That is the Iago Galland presents in her latest.  

Iago pretty much goes with the flow throughout the book. He wants to be in the Navy, his father sends him to artillery school instead. After rising to the top and making a name for himself, Iago's father then uses him to gain support by sending him to join the Army. Not Iago's plan, but he again goes along with his father's wishes and again rises to the top earning an ensign rank early on. At one point Iago tells his wife Emilia that his own merit will get him ahead. And he is wrong. When the lieutenant position opens up, everyone -- including Iago -- believes that Iago is the logical choice. Instead, Cassio is elevated in rank and Iago remains ensign. And this is Iago's breaking point. 

Galland's Iago is manipulative and conniving. He's clever but he's also prone to childish jealousy and his own imagination gets him into trouble -- you know the saying about assuming? Iago does a lot of assuming. I'd say that his plan for revenge against Othello is not completely undeserved. Othello is his friend and relies so heavily on Iago's council that when the general passes him up for promotion without any explanation, Iago's anger seems somewhat justified. His plan gets a little out of control and then a lot out of control before the end of the story.

Having read Galland before, I knew that she would be a worthy one to take on Shakespeare. After all, Shakespeare's work is filled with social commentary and sarcasm through comments that can be taken multiple ways. Galland has mastered this same skill and so tackling Othello's villain, while a task for any writer, seems a little easier for Galland. An ease that ultimately makes I, Iago a highly entertaining read. Galland's writing is smart and her tone is light throughout most of the read. Iago's banter is particularly amusing, especially when he uses his smarts to outwit others. 

Like Revenge of the Rose, I, Iago is a fun read. You don't have to be a Shakespearean scholar to enjoy it -- in fact, you don't have to have any prior knowledge of Othello at all. I, Iago is a complete tale all on its very own.  


For more on Galland, I, Iago, and her other works, you can visit her official blog here. You can also "like" Galland on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. 

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Oh, YA! How I love you so these days! And while I wish I'd had this much to choose from as a teen reader, I'm just pleased as punch to have the chance to jump in now. 

I'm a huge fan of dystopians (as you may have gathered if you read the blog or view my Read shelf). The dystopian setting leaves so much room for creativity. The history that leads up to it, the particulars of the world, how it fits within the story itself... all of this is treated completely differently by just about every author who tackles it. Plus, it's easy to see (especially these days) how things could get out of hand in reality. Dystopian societies are a natural fear in this kind of climate. 

But I don't mean to get too heavy. Today's book is a light read!

Kiera Cass's The Selection was on my wish list for MONTHS before it hit shelves in April. I'm not a Bachelor fan -- except that one season when I knew someone participating -- but I was definitely open to a dystopian version of The Bachelor (The Selection in a very small nutshell) and indeed I loved it! 

Tradition holds that when the Prince of Illea comes of age, one girl from each province will be chosen to take part in The Selection. At the end, one girl will win the crown and the Prince's heart. America Singer enters on a lark and is chosen, but her one true love is the price she pays for taking part in The Selection. As she and Prince Maxon grow closer, America must decide whether to move forward into an unknown future or hang on to what she's always desired.

I enjoyed so many things about this book. America for one. She's a savvy teen. The love triangle, while a little tired and overly exploited these days, fits just fine within this particular setting. In fact, it's the source of a lot of the conflict. 

But I really loved the secrets. The hinted at story behind the story. How America and her fellow Selection competitors really know nothing about their own history. How America's father kept hidden books in the house. Who is attacking the royal family and why. These are the things I loved. These are the things that, in addition to America and The Selection itself, will drive the trilogy and hopefully be answered before the end. 

And in the end, I loved that it was such a light and fun read. One of my sisters is not a fan of dystopians but I'm hoping that she'll enjoy The Selection as much as I did and I can't wait until she reads it. 

And in case you've been living under a rock, The Selection is already in the works for the small screen. 

New Releases 5/08/12

Some of the new titles hitting shelves this week are:

The Inquisitor's Key by Jefferson Bass

Overseas by Beatriz Williams

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel

In One Person  by John Irving

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (pb)

Home by Toni Morrison

The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Miller

The Emerald Storm by William Dietrich

Guilt By Degrees by Marcia Clark

A Simple Murder by Eleanor Kuhns

The Family Corleone by Ed Falco

The Sea Witch by Stephen Coonts

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Endure by Carrie Jones (Need #4)

Until I Die by Amy Plum

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments #5)

New on DVD:
Underworld: Awakening
The Vow
Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie

New reviews at Bookbitch.com:
A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

I've got the house to myself this weekend and am tackling the TBR and relaxing! I've got not plans (other than to hit the bookstore -- I know, I know! Shame on me! But I have a coupon!), read, and chill as much as humanly possible. 

Yesterday I started -- and finished -- Kathleen Peacock's debut release, Hemlock, the first book in the Hemlock trilogy. It would have been a one-sitting read had I not taken a break for a not so fabulous movie. But the book was good :)

A killer is on the loose in Hemlock and Mac's best friend Amy is just the latest in the string of murders. She was found in an alley after being brutally torn apart -- a chunk of white fur clutched in her hand. 

Ever since the werewolves outed themselves, Lupine syndrome has been on the rise. Anyone scratched or bitten is immediately sent to a rehabilitation camp. Since new werewolves typically can't control themselves or the bloodlust that strikes, it's human protection that's at the forefront of everyone's minds. And the murders in Hemlock further support the idea. 

Haunted by her best friend, Mac decides that she will investigate Amy's murder herself. Everyone knows that white wolves are especially rare and now that the Trackers have arrived in town, Mac can think of no better way to be rid of them and gain closure. 

A YA mystery with werewolves? Yeah, I was totally in from page one! The story is solid and Peacock's pacing is phenomenal. What's more, Mac and her friends are totally believable teen characters. 

There's also a hint of American Werewolf in London/Paris here with Mac talking to Amy (a hint). I liked that element as a way for Mac to work through different pieces of the mystery. Clever!

Atypical of the current trilogy trend, there's no real cliffhanger of an ending in Hemlock. Yes, I want to know what comes next and can't wait till book two comes out, but most of the loose ends are neatly tied up -- at least until the story continues. It was a nice sense of resolution even knowing that there's more to come. 

Peacock is one of the Apocalypsies (2012 YA Debuts) and if you didn't know, they've got a current set of contests going with 60 authors participating. Hit the link to take part and find out about some of the fantastic YA titles due out this year. 

Hemlock hits shelves Tuesday, May 8. 

White Horse by Alex Adams

The weekend is upon us again! And you know what that means? I have a huge stack of books I'm planning to spend some quality time with over the next few days!

Nerd I may well be, but considering last weekend was spent with the A/C fiasco, next weekend we have plans to help with a recital event at a friend's dance studio, and the following weekend will be the beginning of kitchen mess, I think this will be the last quiet weekend for a while :)

If you're looking for something to dive into this weekend yourself, I have to suggest (if I could, I'd take you to the bookstore and put it in your hands!) Alex Adams's debut, White Horse. It's end of the world, post-apocalyptic horror/drama that will leave you reeling! It's that good. 

In the aftermath of a horrible outbreak, Zoe Marshall sets off in search of the father of her unborn child. 

White Horse killed off most of the population. The rest were either immune or changed by the virus. Zoe, a cleaner at Pope Pharmaceuticals before it all happened, has not only survived, but is also pregnant. As everyone around her succumbs to the virus, she travels to Europe, clinging to the hope that her lover may have survived. 

From the opening lines, Adams's voice rings clear through her words and her imagery is some of the best I've seen in ages. 

Look at me: I don't want my therapist to think I'm crazy. That the lie rolls off my tongue without tripping over my teeth is a miracle. 

"I dreamed of the jar last night."

"Again?" he asks. 

The leather squeaks beneath my head when I nod.

"The exact jar?"

"Always the same."

You can read more here. 

White Horse is both horrific and poetic and is utterly amazing! And it's one of my top picks for 2012 so far, joining ranks with what have been some truly fabulous reads this year. I've heard that White Horse will actually be the first in a trilogy. If that's the case, I'll be anxiously awaiting the release of the next book. Either way, Adams has ensured herself a spot on my "Must Read" lilt from here on out!

Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

History is filled with amazing stories -- heroic, tragic, awesome, and even unlikely -- but without someone to recount those tales, they would be lost to those of us who didn't live them. Mitchell Zuckoff's Lost In Shangri-La is one of those stories. 

Twenty-four US military men and women boarded The Gremlin Special on May 13, 1945. Theirs was not an official military mission nor was it part of a larger campaign, it was simply an afternoon site-seeing trip. Each of the men and women on board was stationed in Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea. The plane ride was supposed to take them over a newly discovered valley on the island recently dubbed "Shangri-La." A tragic series of events brought the plane down and only three people survived. For Lt. John McCollom, Sgt. Ken Decker, and WAC Col. Margaret Hastings, it would be only the beginning of their ordeal. Badly injured, the three knew that they would never be found unless they could make their way out of the rain forest and into clear sight. Even then, the terrain would prove a challenge to those attempting rescue. 

The crash of The Gremlin Special, the survivors' tales, and the rescue attempt that followed are spectacular indeed. With the use of first-hand interviews, military documents, and accounts of those involved, Zuckoff brings to life this extraordinary event, ensuring it a permanent and unforgettable place in history.

Zuckoff's writing is engaging and approachable for even the most hard core fiction reader. The fact that every page is completely true just makes it that much more intense. Zuckoff also fleshes out the story by including bits of WWII military history, the history of New Guinea, and a look at the natives of the island as well. Equally fascinating are the P.S. inclusions in the new paperback edition -- personal letters from friends and family of those involved written to the author after reading the book. 

For more on Lost In Shangri-La, visit Zuckoff's website (link above). I'd also recommend that you check out Jon Stewart's Daily Show interview with Zuckoff here - entertaining and informative (and sure to pique your interest even more).

For a full list of Lost In Shangri-La blog tour stops visit the TLC Book Tours page here.