New Releases 2013 (Aug 20)

 

New Releases 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Omens [Hardcover]

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong begins her new series with Omens, featuring a compelling new heroine thrust into a decades - old murder case and the dark mysteries surrounding her strange new home.

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

Aided by her mother’s former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens’ last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

Manga: 

BTOOOM!, Vol. 3 [Paperback]

After Ryouta Sakamoto is deposited on an island and forced to kill others with unique bombs called BIMs in order to stay alive as a player in live-action "BTOOOM!", he and his newfound ally, Kiyoshi Taira, search for a way off the island. En route, he encounters a heavily armed teenage girl, who, suspicious of his motives, unleashes a vicious barrage of BIMs in his direction. Though initially unwilling to engage, Ryouta decides to fight back. But will earning another victory on the island lead to him losing more of his humanity and committing yet another unpardonable sin?

Judge, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Envy, lust, sloth, wrath, gluttony, pride, greed.

A group of sinners who bear the guilt of the seven deadly sins has been gathered in an old courthouse to face judgement. To leave this place alive, they must offer up a sacrifice - one of their number. As the trial begins, who will the gavel fall on first?

Manga Review: 07-GHOST, Vol. 5 Paperback

I've finished "07-Ghost Vol. 5" by Yuki Amemiya.

One evil god, two rival empires, three unlikely bishops and seven brave ghosts make for one fantastic adventure!

The paths of one evil god, two rival empires, three unlikely bishops and seven brave ghosts converge in the destiny of Teito Klein, a boy who vows to master a powerful artifact known as the Eye of Mikael in order to lay bare the secrets of the world’s — and his own — murky past.

Having lost the Eye of Mikael to Ayanami's Imperial Army, Teito is now in the midst of the Bishop Examination, a test that if passed will grant him the travel privileges he needs to reclaim the Eye. But during the examination he must face Ayanami?

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen audiences.

About the Author

Yuki Amemiya was born in Miyagi, Japan on March 25. Yukino Ichihara was born in Fukushima, Japan on November 24. Together they write and illustrate 07-Ghost, the duo’s first series. Since its debut in 2005, 07-Ghost has been translated into a dozen languages, and in 2009 it was adapted into a TV anime series.

Product Details
Series: 07-GHOST (Book 5)
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (July 16, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421549980
ISBN-13: 978-1421549989

My Review:

3/5

Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!

Weekly Book Reads (Aug 19)

 Weekly Book Reads

Weekly Book Reads is a weekly Monday Meme that is hosted by Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews:

Post the books read last week and books you plan on finishing this week.

Read Last Week:

1.  Ruthless - Debra Webb
2.  Shapeshifted - Cassie Alexander
3.  Power - Debra Webb
4.  Sea Change - S.M. Wheeler
5.  Own the Wind - Kristen Ashley
6.  07-Ghost Vol. 5 - Yuki Amemiya

Weekly Book Reading:

1.  The Night is Watching - Heather Graham
2.  Let Me Go - Chelsea Cain
3.  Justice for Sara - Erica Spindler
4.  9th Girl - Tami Hoag
5.  X 2-in-1 Vol. 5 - Clamp

Sea Change Hardcover

I've finished "Sea Change" by S.M. Wheeler.

The unhappy child of two powerful parents who despise each other, young Lilly turns to the ocean to find solace, which she finds in the form of the eloquent and intelligent sea monster Octavius, a kraken. In Octavius’s many arms, Lilly learns of friendship, loyalty, and family. When Octavius, forbidden by Lilly to harm humans, is captured by seafaring traders and sold to a circus, Lilly becomes his only hope for salvation. Desperate to find him, she strikes a bargain with a witch that carries a shocking price.

Her journey to win Octavius’s freedom is difficult. The circus master wants a Coat of Illusions; the Coat tailor wants her undead husband back from a witch; the witch wants her skin back from two bandits; the bandits just want some company, but they might kill her first. Lilly's quest tests her resolve, tries her patience, and leaves her transformed in every way.

A powerfully written debut from a young fantasy author, S.M. Wheeler's Sea Change is an exhilarating tale of adventure, resilience, and selflessness in the name of friendship.

About the Author

S.M. Wheeler lives in California. Sea Change is her first novel.

Product Details
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Tor Books; 1 edition (June 18, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765333147
ISBN-13: 978-0765333148

My Review:

3.5/5

Thanks TOR books for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Library Haul 2013 (Aug 18 - 24)

Library Haul

Here's the list of books/manga/manhwa/yaoi manga I picked up this week at the library:

Hardcover:

1.  Royal Cities of the Ancient Maya - Michael D. Coe

Softcover:

1.  Headed for Trouble - Suzanne Brockmann
2.  Oahu Revealed - Andrew Doughty

RS Review: Power (Faces of Evil) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Power" the 3rd book in her Faces of Evil series by Debra Webb.

The Faces of Evil Series: Book 3

Agent Jess Harris is back in another thrilling installment of Debra Webb's Faces of Evil series.

Jess is ready to start the next chapter in her life as the new deputy chief of Birmingham's major crimes division. But with her first love, Chief of Police Dan Burnett, acting as her new boss, it looks like Jess won't be able to put the past behind her that easily.

Jess has decided to focus all of her attention on work when a celebrated ballet instructor is found dead by one of her students. Though Jess's instincts tell her otherwise, the death is ruled an accident, and the case is assigned to another division. Still, Jess can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story, and her investigation leads her into the worlds of Birmingham's gang culture and its powerful elite.

Now Jess's investigation has dug a little too deep, and there's a target painted on her own forehead. Will she be able to solve the crime before her own life is in jeopardy?

From the Author

The Faces of Evil series is one I've wanted to write for a very long time. POWER is the third book in the series. OBSESSION, the debut in the series, has received critical acclaim and spent numerous weeks on Amazon's top 100 bestselling romantic suspense list! Be sure to look for book two in the series, IMPULSE, which also spent weeks on Amazon's top 100! Follow former special agent Jess Harris and chief of police Dan Burnett through the entire twelve-book series!

Product Details
Series: Faces of Evil
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Forever (March 26, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455527564
ISBN-13: 978-1455527564

My Review:

4/5

Thanks Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Own the Wind: A Chaos Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Own the Wind" the 1st book in her Chaos series by Kristen Ashley.

Too hot to handle

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos - the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos' leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby's thinking about much more than friendship.

Tabby is everything Shy's ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can't have. She's beautiful, smart, and as his friend's daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more - much more - he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn.

About the Author 

Kristen Ashley grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana, and has lived in Denver, Colorado, and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multigenerational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland, and Kristen grew up listening to the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon, and Whitesnake.

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

You can learn more at:

KristenAshley.net

Twitter @KristenAshley68

Facebook.com

Product Details
Series: Chaos
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Forever; Reissue edition (June 25, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455599255
ISBN-13: 978-1455599257

My Review:

3.5/5

Thanks Hachette Book Group Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Shapeshifted (Edie Spence) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Shapeshifted" the 3rd book in her Edie Spence series by Cassie Alexander.

SHAPESHIFTED

Nurse Edie Spence is once again called upon to save a life and this time, it’s personal. Can her new community of zombies, vampires, and shapeshifters come to her rescue when she needs them most?

When Edie was fired from her paranormal nursing job at County Hospital, her whole world came crashing down. Now she’s is once again shaken to her core. Her mother is deathly ill and there’s only one thing that will save her: vampire blood. But with the paranormal community shunning Edie, where can she obtain it ithout losing her own life in the process?

SHAPESHIFTED

Edie hopes to procure it at her new job at the clinic across town, where the forces of evil loom large. Vampire gang wars are rampant. Old underground enemies are rising to the surface. And Edie’s zombie ex-boyfriend has arrived at the scene — but is he the same man he used to be? And what should she make of the enigmatic doctor with whom she shares an unexpected connection? She’ll have to figure it out soon, because all hell is about to break loose — literally — and time is running out.


From Cassie Alexander comes the third book in the Edie Spence series.

Product Details
Series: Edie Spence (Book 3)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (June 4, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312553412
ISBN-13: 978-0312553418

My Review:

3.5/5

Thanks St. Martin's Press for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Bunny Express Saturday 2013 (Aug 17)

Bunny Express Saturday is hosted every Saturday at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews.

I received this in the mail this week.

For Review:

Mistress Hardcover

James Patterson's scariest, sexiest stand-alone thriller since The Quickie.

Ben isn't like most people. Unable to control his racing thoughts, he's a man consumed by his obsessions: movies, motorcycles, presidential trivia - and Diana Hotchkiss, a beautiful woman Ben knows he can never have.

When Diana is found dead outside her apartment, Ben's infatuation drives him on a hunt to find out what happened to the love of his life.

Ben soon discovers that the woman he pined for was hiding a shocking double life. And now someone is out to stop Ben from uncovering the truth about Diana's illicit affairs.

In his most heart-pumping thriller yet, James Patterson plunges us into the depths of a mind tortured by paranoia and obsession, on an action-packed chase through a world of danger and deceit.

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden Paperback

From the bestselling author of The Secret of Ella and Micha comes a mesmerizing novel of fate, friendship, and the healing power of love.

THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE & KAYDEN

For Kayden, suffering in silence was the only way to survive. If he was lucky, he could keep his head down, do as he was told, and make it through the day. But one night it seemed like his luck - and his life - might finally end until an angel named Callie appeared just in time to rescue him.

Callie has never believed in luck. Not since her twelfth birthday when everything was taken from her. After the worst was over, she locked up her feelings and vowed never to tell anyone what happened. Now, six years later, she continues to struggle with the painful secret that threatens to consume her.

When fate lands Kayden and Callie at the same college, Kayden is determined to get to know the beautiful girl who changed his destiny. Quiet and reserved, Callie still fears letting anyone else into her world. But Kayden is certain that Callie has come back into his life for a reason. And the more he tries to be a part of her life, the more he realizes that, this time, it's Callie who needs to be saved.

The Bone Season: A Novel Hardcover (Solicited)

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city — Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly — as soldiers in their army.

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine — a young woman learning to harness her powers in a world where everything has been taken from her. It also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut.

Thanks Hachette Book Group Canada and Penguin Canada!

18 and Over Book Blogger Hop #76

18 and Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that begins on Fridays and runs through the weekend hosted by Crystal from Reading Between the Wines. 

The 18 Over Book Blogger Follow is a Friday blog hop with the objective to find and visit other book blogs that share the same interest as you, namely books geared towards the 18 and over crowd, and make new friends!

How to join in:

You should run a book blog that features and reviews mostly adult reads, some Y.A.’s are okay but 18 and  Over adult reads should be your majority.

Make a separate post for the 18 and Over Book Blogger Follow on your blog.

Copy the html for the button above and place it at the top of your post.

List and answer the ‘Question of the Week.’

Place your name and blog title in the linky below and the url for a direct link to your post

Visit the other blogs on the list. If you like what you see make sure to leave a comment and follow so the blog owner knows you stopped by and can return the favor. Following each blog is not mandatory but I know it is always appreciated, and if someone comments saying they’re a new follower it’s polite to follow back. It’s always nice to spread the 18 and Over Book Blog love!

Contact me (readingbetweenthewines10 at gmail dot com) with any questions!

Question of the Week: 

It's that time of year again - back-to-school time! Name one (or a few) of your favorite books that feature hot fictional teachers. 

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 3) Hardcover

A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion and terror his only passion — until he rescues a beautiful female from the evil Lessening Society.  Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for each other begins to overtake them, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past and find a future with her.

Manga:

Black Bird, Vol. 1 Paperback

He loves her blood, but does her love her?!

R to L (Japanese Style).

There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada is one such person, and she wants nothing to do with magical realms. She just wants to have a normal high school life and maybe get a boyfriend. All that changes one day when Misao is attacked by a demon. Her childhood friend Kyo suddenly returns to save her and tend to her cuts -- with his tongue! It turns out Misao is the bride of prophecy, whose blood gives power to the demon clan who claims her. But most demons want to keep her power for themselves -- by eating her! Now Misao is just trying to stay alive and decide if she likes it when Kyo licks her wounds.