Preview and Cover Reveal: The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

Thanks to Diana from The Lovely Getaway! I learned about this from her.

I've read Kimberly Derting's The Body Finder (click for review) and I'll soon be reading Desires of the Dead. I wasn't thoroughly impressed with The Body Finder, and I'm hoping for a better experience in Desires of the Dead. I can't wait to find out what happens to Violet in Desires of the Dead, and The Last Echo!

The Last Echo will be released April 17, 2012

The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Jenna Fox Chronicles #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Genre: science fiction
Series and Book #: Jenna Fox Chronicles #1
Pages: 265
Synopsis:

Everything is different.

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year-long comma—so she’s been told—and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. But what happened before that? She’s been given home movies chronicling her entire life, which spark memories to surface. But are the memories really hers? And why won’t anyone in her family talk about the accident? Jenna is becoming more curious. Bust she is also afraid of what she might find out if she ever gets up the courage to ask her questions.

What happened to Jenna Fox? And who is she, really?

-------

This was such a breathtaking read. It's very thought-provoking and raises many questions such as What if? and But why?

Jenna was an intensely strong MC. She was curious and smart and so honest. Since she didnt' remember anything, including feelings, she didn't know how to hurt ones feelings and she didn't realize certain words and actions did hurt others. As she tries to discover herself, she learns more of the "other Jenna" and as she digs deeper into her existence, she learns more and more about who she was and who she's becoming. I loved learning about Jenna. She was a fascinating character to get to know.

The futuristic setting was awesome. Mary did an amazing job of explaining the technological advances that had taken place. Mostly, it was futuristic by way of science and medicine, but there was that undertone of what has happened politically, economically, and socially.

Overall, this was a truly magnificent read with a memorable MC. Jenna raised many questions about herself and the medical world she lived in. Mary was very good at having her characters stick to you and make you care about them. Her novel really begged the question, If you could live forever, would you? This was an amazing book and I can't wait for the sequel, The Fox Inheritance.

The Cover: I love how it's depicting Jenna slowly piecing herself together. It's very symbolic.

The Fox Inheritance is released August 30, 2011

Releases: Fins are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs and The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

 
On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mergirl, true, but signing the renunciation will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being-human thing once and for all.
Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, the waves start to get rough. Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in trapped form when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?
The sea foam on the raging surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up—Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her own dreams?

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.

Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

--------

First of all, I love mermaid novels! It's followed me through childhood. Second, I've read Tera Lynn Childs first two novels Oh. My. Gods. (click for review) and Goddess Boot Camp (ditto), so I can't wait to read her new series!

I've never read a Lisa Schroeder book but I've heard great things about her novel I Heart You, You Haunt Me. The Day Before sounds interesting, and I can't wait to pick it up!

What are your thoughts? Which is your favorite?

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Genre: adventure
Series and Book #: none
Pages: 390
Synopsis:

Survival. Of the Fittest.

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream Pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What’s a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program—or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan—or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness.

--------

This book was a riot! Libba Bray had it all: a colorful cast of characters, an amazing setting, some form of mystery, and a ton of humor!

Libba had so many diverse characters, ranging from your typical beauty queen to a complete tomboy. Every Miss Teen Dream had a unique personality and a story behind her that I think Libba did an amazing job elaborating. The contestants changes from being all about winning and pageants, to being themselves and following their dreams was pretty awesome. During the beginning, I was like What is this, a book that makes girls feel bad? because off the obsession to be skinny, tan, and drop-dead gorgeous. But this is a book showing you that its okay to be yourself and that you should be yourself, or you will be miserable.

Overall, this is a book you cannot miss. Libba is an amazing author who makes the setting and the memorable characters come to life while adding interesting elements such as commercial breaks, words from your sponsors, and classified information. This is such a great story that has a wonderful message attached to it.

The Cover: I loved it from the moment I saw it! First, the ribbon, second the ammunition belt full of lipstick!

The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2) by Rick Riordan

Genre: fantasy & adventure
Series and Book #: Kane Chronicles #2
Pages: 446
Synopsis:

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister, Sadie, have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command; but the devious gods haven’t given them time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, a training ground for young magicians. And now their most threatening enemy yet—the Chaos snake, Apophis—is rising. If they don’t prevent him from breaking free in a few days’ time. The world will end. In other words, it’s a typical week for the Kane family.

To have any chance of battling the forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god, Ra. But that would be a feat more difficult than any magician has ever accomplished. First they have to search the world for the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh—and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is, exactly?

--------

Loved the second book in the series, and can't wait for more! Rick's writing is simple but funny, action packed, and so intriguing!

One thing I hate about sequels; the author has to reexplain everything. Especially in a complex book where so much is going on all at once. Rick retold some facts at the beginning of the book, and throughout the rest of the story, he added snippets from the prequel The Red Pyramid (see my review here). He didn't retell the entire first novel, which was much appreciated.

Again, I loved Sadie and Carter Kane's narration of the story. They are so different in how they see the events. Rick also did an amazing job of all his characterizations, both in the first and second novels.

Overall, I definitely will be waiting anxiously for the next in this series. The Egyptian mythology is difficult to understand but interesting. Rick makes is all the more enjoyable by adding fascinating tidbits from the modern world. I really recommend this to any readers looking for spunk, humor, and adventure.

The Cover: Relates to the story wonderfully.

Release: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

 
Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.
 
There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed.
 
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.
 
Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

--------

I haven't read the first book in the series, Heist Society, but I will read it soon. It's waiting for me at home, on  my shelf. But I have read Ally's other series, the Gallagher Girl series, which is completely different from this series as it is about a school for spies. Ally's writing, from my experience, is funny and full of action and romance. You don't want to miss this!

Daily Dose (26)

Daily Dose is a weekly meme hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly where we share inspirational photography we've found. Enjoy!