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Saturday, March 10, 2012

Pre-Pub Book Buzz: The Gilly Salt Sisters by Tiffany Baker

I lust over books. I'll admit it. I have a massive TBR stack but there are so many new releases that I'm just dying to get my hands on and Tiffany Baker's The Gilly Salt Sisters is just one of many. The book hits shelves on March 14 and is first release since her debut, The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, back in 2009.

Here's a bit about the book from the publisher's site:

In the isolated Cape Cod village of Prospect, the Gilly sisters are as different as can be. Jo, a fierce and quiet loner, is devoted to the mysteries of her family's salt farm, while Claire is popular, pretty, and yearns to flee the salt at any cost. But the Gilly land hides a dark legacy that proves impossible to escape. Although the community half-suspects the Gilly sisters might be witches, it doesn't stop Whit Turner, the town's wealthiest bachelor, from forcing his way into their lives. It's Jo who first steals Whit's heart, but it is Claire--heartbroken over her high school sweetheart--who marries him.

Years later, estranged from her family, Claire finds herself thrust back onto the farm with the last person she would have chosen: her husband's pregnant mistress. Suddenly, alliances change, old loves return, and new battle lines are drawn. What the Gilly sisters learn about each other, the land around them, and the power of the salt, will not only change each of their lives forever, it will also alter Gilly history for good.

Now, Little Giant of Aberdeen County, was a sweet book with quirky characters and a hint of magic. I expect Gilly Salt to be similar in that regard -- and hope that's the case.

Happy reading!

(Don't forget to set your clocks forward!)

Friday, March 9, 2012

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

How freaking awesome is Cinder!? For everyone who's read it, I know you all know. For anyone who hasn't, you are seriously missing out. Seriously.

A futuristic, cyborg retelling of Cinderella in a post-outbreak world where there are people living on the moon!

Society views cyborgs as lesser humans. In fact, they're lucky that science has been able to give them new life. And so it is cyborgs that are singled out for experimentation in the search for a cure against the virus that has plagued human kind. Cinder has been raised in a household that doesn't want her. As a cyborg, she is little more than her ward's possession. When she is volunteered for testing, Cinder believes it's the end. But it's only the beginning.

Cinder is yet another of those spectacularly original teen debuts causing even adult readers to salivate and beg for more. I mean it. I read almost the whole thing in one sitting (on an airplane -- and it made the otherwise miserable ride oh, so bearable). I'm nagging the Junior Junkies almost daily to get after reading it themselves.

Nevermind the fact that it's a completely original new spin on a classic fairy tale. Nevermind the fact that it's a futuristic dystopian (of which I certainly can't get enough). And nevermind the fact that it's freaking cyborgs! Marissa Meyer has some real writing talent.

I know "gripping" is overused, but sometimes you have to use it. And "entrancing" may prompt many to go searching for their thesaurus, but it's true. If I can be fangirl and gush over this book any more than I already am, tell me how. I seriously loved it.

There have always been fine writers and there have always been great books, but the teen market right now is flourishing in a way that I could never imagine 15 years ago. I'd say it's not fair -- as a teen, I catapulted straight to adult books thanks to the severe lack of variety. I wish we'd had this much passion over YA when I was technically in that reading bracket. But hey, I think all of us readers chomping at the bit for any great book -- teen, adult, or otherwise -- are benefitting just as much as the target market. A good book is a good book no matter who it's aimed at, and Cinder is quite a good book.

Cinder is also available in audiobook from Macmillan Audio. The folks there were kind enough to send me a sample for you guys, check it out!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Live Chat With MJ Rose


Morning, all. In a couple of weeks I'll be participating in the blog tour to promote MR Rose's latest, The Book of Lost Fragrances. There will be a review, a guest post, and an excerpt as part of a scavenger hunt.

Today, Rose fans have a chance to participate in a Live Chat taking place over at BookTrib at 3pm EST.

You'll need to hit the BookTrib link for more info and to get to the RSVP (sorry, the image link doesn't work here).

Be sure to check back here on March 18 for lots of MJ Rose fun!

Monday, March 5, 2012

New Releases 3/6/12

I was back on Sunday but took the day off from blogging. So here's my usual Sunday post -- one day late.

Some of the titles hitting shelves this week are:

Emperor Mollusk versus the Sinister Brain by A. Lee Martinez

Expats by Chris Pavone

Enchantments by Kathryn Harrison

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Losing Clementine by Ashley Ream

Cruising Altitude by Heather Poole

When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris

Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James

Murder at the Lanterne Rouge by Cara Black

The O'Briens by Peter Behrens

The Hope Vendetta by Scott Mariani

Clair de Lune by Jetta Carleton

Point and Shoot by Duane Swierczynski

Doubletake by Rob Thurman (Cal and Niko)

Deep Fathom by James Rollins (reissue)

A Searing Wind by W. Michael and Kathleen O'Neal Gear

The Last Good Man by A.J. Kazinski

Carry the One by Carol Anshaw

Gods Without Men by Hari Kunzru

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Soul Bound by Mari Mancusi (Blood Coven)

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins (Hex Hall)

Balthazar by Claudia Gray (Evernight)

Where it Began by Anne Redisch Stampler

New on DVD:
Hugo

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Traveling and Awake

Hi, all! I'm scrambling to get packed and ready for my work trip (and trying to pick books to bring for hotel down time). Packed my emergen-c and hoping this cold doesn't flare up and make me totally miserable. Bleh.

While I'm gone, you should all remember to watch Awake on Thursday (NBC, 10/9 central). I've been pretty excited about this one since I first heard about it. I love Jason Isaacs and the concept sounds interesting -- maybe a little different from the other stuff. We caught the preview and the first episode was pretty good. I'd like it to have a fair shot so I can find out what's going on!

Interestingly, Howard Gordon, executive producer on the show, recently released his second book.

Here's a review in a nutshell for you:

Gideon Davis and his recently pardoned brother discover a plot to take down the top tier of the US government. Unfortunately, the authorities aren't listening. Fortunately, Gideon and Tillman possess the kind of skills one would need to take down a terrorist plot all on their own.

The plot does have some original aspects and the story is fast-paced and interesting. No surprise, but it essentially reads like an episode of a 24-like drama/thriller (Gordon was also producer on that show -- and Keifer Sutherland blurbed the book).

And this is actually the second in the series. I haven't read Gideon's War but didn't have any trouble with Hard Target. It was pretty fun overall. Not sure it's a stand out amongst similar titles, but it was a quick and entertaining read.

See you next week!

Monday, February 27, 2012

The Man From Primrose Lane by James Renner

I have to say, nothing is better than a weekend with minimal responsibilities and a good book to read! When I received James Renner's The Man From Primrose Lane, I couldn't wait for the chance to dive in. The promo material promised a murder mystery with a time travel twist, an overall genre-bending read. And it delivered!

David Neff is a true crime writer with just one book to his name. The Serial Killer's Protege made him a millionaire and nearly cost him his mind. What's worse, Neff hasn't been able to write a word since his wife's suicide four years ago. When his publisher approaches him with an idea for a new book, Neff immediately refuses, but the case of The Man From Primrose Lane turns out to be too puzzling for Neff to turn down.

The Man From Primrose Lane was brutally murdered in 2008. The police had no leads and no suspects. The case is colder than cold. As Neff digs deeper into the mystery, the police also discover new evidence -- evidence that makes Neff their prime suspect.

The Man From Primrose Lane is a dark and twisty mystery. There are multiple stories going on at once: Neff meeting his wife, Neff researching and writing The Serial Killer's Protege, the retrial after his book is released, The Man From Primrose Lane, some child kidnappings, and yes, time travel. It's awesome!

I'm such a fan of these mixed genre novels. The Rook, another hard to pin down multi-genre release this year, was admittedly my first favorite of 2012. The Man From Primrose Lane now joins the ranks of that list.

Renner is the author of two previous non-fiction releases. I'm not sure what he has planned next, but I sincerely hope there's more like Man in his future.

The Man From Primrose Lane should be available starting tomorrow (according to Amazon). Official publisher's date is March 6. Buy it. Read it. Love it!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

New Releases 2/28/12

Some of the new titles hitting shelves this week are:

Timeless by Gail Carriger

Exogene by TC McCarthy

By a Thread by Jennifer Estep

Kingdom of Dust by Amanda Downum

Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors by Molly Harper

Archive 17 by Sam Eastland

Bleed For Me by Michael Robotham

A Rural Affair by Catherine Alliot

The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont

The Ruined City by Paula Brandon

Children of Wrath by Paul Grossman

The Man From Primrose Lane by James Renner

Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

Arctic Rising by Tobias Buckell

The Child Who by Simon Lelic

Songs of the Earth by Elspeth Cooper

The Scar by Sergey and Marina Dyachenko

The Boiling Season by Christopher Hebert

The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin

Blue Monday by Nicci French

Jane Vows Vengeance by Michael Thomas Ford

Lone Wolf by Jodi Piccoult

Victims by Jonathan Kellerman

Unwanted by Kristina Ohlsson

Killer Move by Michael Marshall Smith (PB)

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson (PB)

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino (PB)

The Night School by Louis Bayard (PB)

Bent Road by Lori Roy (PB)

Never See Them Again by Michael W. Phelps

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Partials by Dan Wells

Perception by Kim Harrington

A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford

Allegiance by Cayla Kluver

BZRK by Michael Grant

Torn by Amanda Hocking

When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen

New on DVD:
Hugo

New reviews at Bookbitch.com:
Trail of the Spellmans
Bond Girl by Erin Duffy
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
Fever by Lauren DeStefano