Rex Robot Reviews

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti [Review]

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

3 out of 5 Robots!

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
Series: Gilded Wings, #1
Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release: March 6, 2012
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
My Copy: Amazon Vine
Reviewer: Rex
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

My Reaction:

Illuminate is the first installment in the Gilded Wings series by Aimee Agresti. Though it is an extremely unique and refreshing tale of young angels, it tended to drag on quite a bit. I wish it had been a standalone. The ending didn't provide any sort of cliffhanger, so I'm just going to pretend like it is a standalone. Illuminate a pretty decent read. Definitely entertaining, a new twist added to the angel young adult genre.

I had a hard time connecting to Haven, our main character. She's likeable- shoot, she's great. But I just couldn't find her believable. The same goes for her best friend, Dante. Lance, on the other hand, I felt like I knew Lance. He's the sweet, mysterious boy next door type and I adore his character. He is the best part of the entire story. He kept me flipping the pages.

Haven is found as a toddler by Joan... They never did find her real family, so Joan adopted her. I don't know why, but it bothered me that she never called Joan 'mom.' This is completely trivial, but it bothered me nevertheless. Their relationship is cute though, it is obvious they have a very caring mother/daughter relationship. The entire thing didn't sit well with me, really- Haven, Dante and Lance being pulled out of school in the middle of the year to go work at a hotel? That just seemed crazy to me. The hotel is also centered around Capone, which I found fascinating. Unfortunately this took a backseat to everything else.

I don't highly recommend this novel because I did a lot of skimming to make it to the end. If the plot moved a little quicker, I could have found myself lost in the story. If the premise sounds interesting to you, go for it. Those that love angels, try this one! I did walk away from Illuminate entertained- just wish I would have been enamored.

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro [Character Feature!]

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

About the Book:

A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York.

If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning’s esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn’t like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails.

With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there’s no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed “Typhoid Mary” by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn’t been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery?

Character Feature: Mary

Everyone wants me dead. At least that’s how it feels. They say I killed people with the things inside my body, but I don’t know what they’re talking about. Men come to the door with tubes in their hands, wanting samples from me. Well, I’m not gonna give. I’m not gonna let them turn me into just another ‘dirty Irish,’ even if I am from Ireland. They’re always lookin’ for an excuse to drag us down, sayin’ immigrants carry diseases; well, it’s just not true and I’m not letting that man from the Department of Health, that man with his pretty little girl helper, take me in.

I see the way that girl looks at me, when they come to my door. Embarrassed. But with greedy eyes that seem to see through me. She believes it too. She thinks there’s something that grows inside me, that I spread in my cooking. Girls like that are trouble, and I plan to stay away from her and her mister.

One thing stays with me, what that man said, “Isn’t it true that the typhoid fever seems to follow you, house to house, all across town, no matter who you cook for?”

It’s coincidence. Nothing more.

Check out Deadly on Amazon!

Unbroken by Rachel Caine [Review]

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

Unbroken by Rachel Caine
Series: Outcast Season, #4
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release: February 7, 2012
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Roc
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Rex
ISBN-10: 0451464427
Buy the Book at Amazon

Book Summary:

For millennia, Cassiel was a powerful Djinn- until she was exiled to live among mortals. Now the threat of an apocalypse looms, and Cassiel is in danger of losing everything she has come to hold dear...

As the world begins to fall apart around her, Cassiel finds herself fighting those she once called her own-the Djinn. With Weather Warden Luis Rocha and the rescued child Ibby by her side, Cassiel struggles to find a way to protect those that are in her charge and come to terms with the leadership role she never asked for.

Cassiel is opposed by a powerful Djinn bent on raising an army of kidnapped Warden children to bring about nothing less than the end of the world. It will take everything Cassiel has to stop the Djinn from starting a war that will wipe all of humanity from the face of the earth. She knows that this might not be a battle she can survive, but protecting those she loves is worth any cost...

My Thoughts:

Unbroken by Rachel Caine is wicked, dangerous and packed full of action. I absolutely love this series- Unbroken is book four. Any of these novels could be read as a stand alone, though I wouldn't recommend it because each one is wonderfully entertaining. Caine's writing is just riveting- she knows how to vividly tell a story.

Cassiel is kick ass and powerful. Her character is intriguing, watching her grow over the series is fascinating. I have to admit that I usually do love a good book surrounding around the lives of djinn- so that may have something to do with it. Cassiel isn't the only character I adore though, Luis and Ibby are great too. All the characters in Unbroken are three dimensional, I felt like I could connect with each one of them.

Now, for the sad part. The only complaint I have about Unbroken is that it is the last book in this series. (Sigh) Rachel Caine fans aren't going to be disappointed, she hits another home-run with Unbroken. If you love the Weather Warden series, you HAVE to read the Outcast books. I recommend this series to ANY Urban Fantasy fan. It has everything - Action, romance, adventure. Go pick it up!

Books in this series in the order that they should be read:
1. Undone
2. Uknown
3. Unseen
4. Unbroken

HarperTeen Ebook Deals!

2012-02-09T09:31:00.004-05:00

HarperTeen Ebook Deals

CLOAKED by Alex Flinn (with bonus material!) only .99!

COLD KISS by Amy Garvey is only $1.99!

Good time to purchase a couple of awesome books :)

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen [Review]

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

What Happened to Goodbye Sarah Dessen

Genre: Young Adult
Release: May 10, 2011
Hardcover: 401 Pages
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
My Copy: Personal Copy
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Shannon's Thoughts:

First off, let me just say that I am a big Sarah Dessen fan. She has this amazing way of writing that is extremely poignant without being angst ridden and compelling without being flashy. Her novels unfold quietly as we are following her protagonists journey of self-discovery and healing. Dessen usually writes about girls who are from "broken homes" or suffer a tragedy. We come in after the fact and watch them try to pick up the pieces. Her endings are usually inspiring and heartfelt, but never trite. I have never been disappointed by Dessen and What Happened to Goodbye is no exception.

What Happened to Goodbye centers around McLean, who lives with her dad after her parent's bitter divorce. Her mother left her father for another man and ended up having twins. Now McLean is on shaky terms with her mother as she deals with her anger at her mother's actions and the awkwardness of her new family. Her dad moves around a lot due to his job and this suit McLean just fine. In each new town, she has a chance to reinvent herself and choose who she wants to be: a cheerleader, a student council member, a drama diva. But now she finds herself in a new town where she might just want to be herself again. Especially after meeting her next door neighbor Dave, who sparks her desire to figure out what being herself means.

Again, you can't really go wrong with Sarah Dessen, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book. She has GREAT characters with depth and complexity. There are no easy answers, no black and white situations in Sarah Dessen's world. I don't think this was her strongest effort but it was certainly solid and worth the read. If you haven't checked out Sarah Dessen, do yourself a favor and go get her books!

On The Bright Side by S.R. Johannes [Review]

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

On the Bright Side S.R. Johannes

Genre: Paranormal Tween
Release: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Coleman and Stott
My Copy: From Author
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, SkyFones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven.

Determined to right her wrong, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free.

Shannon's Thoughts:

This book is a fun read for the tween set. It deals with some heavy topics with a lightness and sense of humor. Gabby is a good heroine. She is far from perfect, but she is caring and strong minded. . She really struggles with having to protect Angela, and I think everyone can relate to the situation. Who wouldn't have a hard time protecting your enemy who is trying to horn in on your crush? Gabby sometimes let her emotions get the best of her and can be reckless. But it makes her very human at the same time. Ultimately she learns some Big Life Lessons and tries to right her wrongs.

The story moves along at a quick pace. The ending is especially fast paced and exciting. There ended up being a lot more action in the last half of the book than I was expecting. The only thing that started to get to me after all is the author's fondness of acronyms, puns, and word play. I think it started to get out of hand a bit when most of the jokes in the book were built on puns. It felt a little gimmicky and forced. But it is a small quibble...I am also not the intended audience so it may go over better with the younger crowd.

Overall, I think it was a fun read and great for tweens!

Giveaway: Follower Love Hop!

2012-02-06T13:25:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop!

We're giving away some fun books and swag! There are over 300 other blogs giving away amazing book related prizes! Check them all out- lots of chances to win :)

To enter my giveaway fill out the Rafflecopter form below. To check out all the other awesome blogs participating, hit the 'Continue Reading...' link at the bottom right of this post!

Prize 1: Young Adult
No Where Girl by AJ Paquette (ARC) and Winging It by Deborah Cooke

Prize 2: Swaaaag
Swag Pack (Bookmarks, Stickers, etc.)
Prize 3: Urban Fantasy
Blood & Bullets by James Tuck (ARC) and Cabinet of Curiosities by Vandermeer

This is a *Follower Love* Giveaway, to enter you must follow the blog in at least one form (new or old followers!) Let me know how you follow for your chance to win on the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Poisoned House by Michael Ford [Review]

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

The Poisoned House by Michael Ford

Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Mystery
Release: August 1, 2011
Hardcover: 328 Pages
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company
My Copy: Netgalley
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Shannon's Thoughts:

The Poisoned House is set in 1856 in Victorian London at a large manor called Greave Hall. Abigail "Abi" Tamper, a 14 year old housemaid, was raised in Greave Hall by her mother who served as a nursemaid to master of the house's son. But her mother died a year ago and now Abi is at the mercy of the abusive housekeeper, Mrs. Cotton. To make matters worse, the widowed master of the house, Lord Greaves, is descending into madness and his son, Samuel, returns home from the Crimean war with a severe injury. Abigail soon receives otherwordly signs warning her of imminent danger. Abi's mother may not have died of cholera after all, but instead was murdered and the person responsible is in the house.

This book is very quick and enjoyable read. It is very well written with an exciting plot and interesting characters. I found myself devouring the book since the plot moves along at such a great pace. I really enjoyed the gothic elements. And since I've been watching a lot of Downton Abbey recently, I also enjoyed the servant/master aspects. Also, Abigail was a great character and I enjoyed reading from her perspective as she struggled to fit all the pieces together. She was alternatively wise and innocent.

But I only gave it 3.5 stars because I saw the ending coming WAY before the book ended. It was very predictable (at least to me) and made for a less exciting conclusion. The other thing that troubles me is while I guessed who the killer was, I also felt it came out of nowhere. Even with the explanation at the end, I would have liked to see more development.

This book is one that is a perfect read for a dreary rainy Sunday.

Giveaway! Forever's Paranomal Blog Tour!

2012-01-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Firelight

by Kristen Callihan

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .
Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . . Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

Midnight Reckoning
by Kendra Leigh Castle

Two separate worlds ... One passion that binds them

Wild and passionate by nature, Lyra Black is not just any werewolf. She's the future leader of the powerful pack of the Thorn - if she can stay alive long enough to inherit the title.

One of the Cait Sith bloodline of vampire cat-shifters, Jaden Harrison has no interest in the wars plaguing the world of night. But when he rescues Lyra from a violent attack, they're both captured by an insatiable desire that threatens to overwhelm them and bind them together for eternity... just as ancient enemies prepare to strike. And when they do, the Thorn and the Cait Sith - and Lyra and Jaden's love - may never recover from the deadly blow...

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz [Review]

2012-01-30T08:51:00.000-05:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

Spellbound Cara Lynn Shultz
Series: Spellbound, #1

Genre: Paranormal Young Adult
Release: June 21, 2011
Hardcover: 342 Pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
My Copy: NetGalley
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Shannon's Thoughts:

What can I say? I probably shouldn't have liked this one as much as I did given the plot elements: star crossed lovers, curses, and witches. I generally don't like that kind of thing. But I was really amused by this book. And I really chalk it up to the main character, Emma Connor.

Emma had a tough couple of years. She lost her twin brother to meningitis, then her mother a year later, leaving her with an abusive alcoholic step father who almost kills her in a car accident. So she flees to her aunt's house in the Upper East Side of New York. She starts attending a fancy private school and tries to fit in. She meets Brendan Salinger and is instantly drawn to him. Turns out there is an old curse that keeps Emma and Brendan locked in an eternal cycle of meeting, loving and losing each other.

The plot wasn't really anything special and had a typical YA romance. And considering it is billed as paranormal, it wasn't very heavy on the paranormal either. Its like Paranormal Romance Lite. But I think this actually works in the book's favor. It allows a lot of the attention to be on Emma instead of the paranormal elements. And that is what makes this a 4 star book for me. Emma is a lot of fun. She's spunky. She's witty. She has a great self-depreciating humor, especially about the situation she finds herself in. She can be a bit awkward and unsure of herself, but she is not afraid to speak her mind either. Also, the teen angst is kept to a minimum, thank god.

Brendan and Emma spend a lot of time worrying about the curse. I found those sections to drag a bit, especially when retelling how the curse came into existence. There were a lot of elements added to the story and sometimes the plot seemed a little overstuffed. I sometimes wondered where all of it was leading. But the ending was exciting and it kept me entertained the whole time.

All in all, this was a nice frothy bit of fun. I was a little sad to see Emma go I must admit. I had originally thought this was a standalone book but it looks like there is a second book coming out in March. I will be happy to revisit Emma!

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell [Review]

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

2.5 out of 5 Robots!

Swamplandia! Karen Russell
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release: February 1, 2011
Hardcover: 320 Pages
Publisher: Knopf Publishing
My Copy: Borrowed from Library
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Shannon's Thoughts:

Oh Swamplandia! I had such high hopes. But, at the end, I was so disappointed. The book starts off well enough. In the back swamps of Florida, the Bigtree family runs a roadside tourist attraction (the titular Swamplandia). The main attraction at Swamplandia is the alligator wrestling show starring Hilola Bigtree until she is stricken with cancer and dies. Without its main star, the tourist no longer come to Swamplandia and the family is on the verge of financial ruin. This is just the beginning of the book. After Hilola dies, her husband (The Chief) and three children all try to deal with her passing, to varying degrees of success. The Chief is in denial about Swamplandia's future. Kiwi, the eldest son, leaves Swamplandia to work on the mainland at a competing tourist attraction called the World of Darkness. Ossie, the middle sister, becomes interested in the occult and begins to date ghosts and eventually runs off to elope with one of them. And lastly, Ava, the youngest sister at 13, decides to become an alligator wrestler and save the show.

The first half of the book is narrated exclusively from Ava's perspective. It sets up all the background to the main conflict. The book then splits its narrative between Kiwi on the mainland and Ava at Swamplandia. After Kiwi leaves, the Chief leaves too for the mainland on a mystery errand. He leaves behind Ossie and Ava to tend to themselves until his return. But then Ossie runs off to elope to her ghost boyfriend and Ava strikes out after her. She is aided by a mysterious man called The Birdman as she travels deep into the swamp to bring back her sister.

Its at this point the story begins to unravel for me. The first half of the books sets up such an interesting premise and it really grabbed my attention. But once the family splits up, I found myself alternating between annoyance at the characters' naivety and a terrible sense of foreboding. The last part of the book deals with a terrible terrible incident. You could see it coming a ways off like a storm on the horizon, but you are completely incapable of doing anything about it. There is a sense of dread and unease surrounding the last half of the book, leading up to the incident. And then...nothing. The end just comes and the ramifications of the story's events are never really dealt with. I found it all so depressing and unsatisfying.

I think readers will either really like this book or they won't. From the other reviews I've read, this seems to be the case anyways. So, I would say if you were interested in reading it, you should so you can decide on your own how you feel about it.

Other Reviews of Swamplandia:The Amber Show Contemporary Lit

Shine by Lauren Myracle [Review]

2012-01-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

Shine Lauren Myracle

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Release: May 1, 2011
Hardcover: 359 Pages
Publisher: Amulet Books
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Shannon's Thoughts:

Shine chronicles the aftermath of a vicious hate crime in rural North Carolina. 16 year old Patrick, a gay teen, is beaten and left for dead and the perpetrators have not been found. Patrick is now in a coma and his best friend, Cat, wants to find out who is responsible.

Shine is told from Cat's perspective. She is 16, and has a shameful secret that causes her to almost completely withdraw from the world. But upon hearing of Patrick's beating, she begins to reemerge on a quest to find justice for Patrick. The plot is laid out like a mystery novel but ultimately the story is about Cat's coming of age.

The backdrop of Shine is life in a poor, rural area. There is high unemployment, rampant drug addiction, clannish families, secrets and intolerance. I felt Myracle captured it in a very compelling and realistic way. You could feel the desperation in the character's situations.

This book is also beautifully written. Cat is such a real character. I really understand her pain, her struggles, her anger, her forgiveness. While I figured out who attacked Patrick well before Cat did, I don't think that is the central point to the novel. I really felt Cat's redemption is the best part of the novel.

The ending may leave some people dissatisfied. I am ok with it because it is realistic. Not everything ends in a happily ever after and I think it a fitting end to the story. But this isn't to say the book isn't uplifting either! There is plenty to take away from the character's journeys.

I highly recommend this book! Especially since the author has a wonderful way of writing very real and human characters - something that is lacking from a lot of young adult novels. Shine will not disappoint you on that end.

Interview with Untraceable Author S.R. Johannes!

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Untraceable by S.R. Johannes
Publisher: Colemon & Stott
Release: November 23, 2011
Buy the Book: Amazon

About Untraceable:

16 year old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

About the Author:

Shelli traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, where she worked with Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick Filet, and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

In addition to juggling nap schedules and client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent speaker on marketing and book publicity at SCBWI conferences across the U.S, and runs a popular book marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com).

Author This or That List

Italian Ice or Ice Cream?
I can be very specific, I will say Magnum gourmet ice cream are made with vanilla bean or chocolate ice cream dipped in thick Belgian chocolate. YUMMY!

Fall or Spring?
Fall. I love the crisp weather. Wearing sweaters and Uggs (though I wear those all year round.) And I love to cuddle. To drink chai lattes or coffee (doused with white chocolate raspberry flavored cream – again too specific?)

Paperback or Ebook?
I love the feel of a book in my hands. I do read ebooks sometimes. Mostly Indie books or if I am beta reading or getting to read a book that isn’t out yet (Cough – Body Finder – Last echo! Ha!)

Beach or Lake?
Definitely beach. I don’t like stagnant water. It freaks me out. I also don’t like that space in a lake where you jump in and it’s very cold. * Shivers.* I love the smell of salt water and my hair always looks god at the beach b/c it is not humid

Green or Red?
I say Green. It looks better with my eyes (which are greenish blue). Call me vain. I do love what it represents – calm, cool, alive.

Urban Fantasy or Romance?
Hm this is hard. I don’t fall in a certain genre. It really depends on the book. I think every teen book need a little romance. It would be unrealistic not to have any hormones flying. But I don’t love all urban fantasy.

Morning or Night?
I am NOT a morning person. I repeat, I am NOT a morning person. I do my best work at night when it is quiet. I love to sleep too so my answer is NIGHT.

Fish or Hamsters?
Can I just say dogs? I love my dog. But I do have some beta fish and they are sweet. They always come up to the glass when I come in the room. I had a hamster once and it was a traumatic experience. Let’s just say it ate plastic and I had to put it down. It was awful.

Ketchup or Mustard?
Man I am difficult. I like to mix Ketchup and Mayo. Hey if you say it is gross, I will just say it’s very Parisian so I look cool. That’s actually where I started using it first and I haven’t stopped since. But let’s be clear, Thousand Island dressing is NOT the same thing!

Comedy or Horror?
I am not a big horror person. I get scared easily and hate having bad dreams. I am a writer with an overactive imagination so that spooky stuff freaks me out. I love to laugh. You know that deep belly laugh where you think you might pee I your pants and you can’t breathe? Love that. Well, not the peeing part, the laughing part.

iPad or Kindle Fire?
I love my iPad And Steve Jobs.

Batman or Wolverine?
Since hairy chests have never done it for me. I’ll go with batman. Though living in a cave does not sound appealing. Unless it’s the cave that Christian Bale had in Dark Knight. Then I’d be fine.

Partials by Dan Wells [Review]

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

4 out of 5 Robots!

Partials by Dan Wells
Series: Partials, #1
Genre: YA Dystopian
Release: February 28, 2012
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
My Copy: Amazon Vine
ISBN-10: 0062071041
Reviewer: Rex
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade.

Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic-in-training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws have pushed what's left of humanity to the brink of civil war, and she's not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will find that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them—connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there.

My Thoughts:

Partials by Dan Wells is unique and riveting, I strongly encourage any Young Adult Dystopian fan to read this one. Maybe I am head over heels for this one because I didn't have high expectations. Thank goodness I ignored some of the remarks I'd heard, because I walked away from this novel completely entertained. I enjoyed every second of it and had a hard time putting it down.

Samm, a character we (unfortunately) do not get to meet right away, has me smitten. I adore him. He really kept my head in the story. There were other characters that I wanted to connect with, but I just couldn't do it. The plot had me intrigued- I find the humans vs. partials story fascinating. The best part is that there is a little surprise at the end, and I love it. Love a good little twist. Speaking of twist- what a world! Dan Wells really did a superb job vividly describing his world in Partials. I could see everything.

I am so curious as to what happens next. Can not wait to continue reading this series, fantastic! Dan Wells brought the Partials and their human enemies to life with a suspenseful, refreshing dystopian adventure. Pre-order this one!

Book Trailer:

Author Interview: James R Tuck!!

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

About Blood and Bullets:

He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat. But now an immortal evil has this bad-ass bounty hunter dead in its sights…

Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent. So when a pretty vampire girl “hires” him to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him—and barely escapes a vampire ambush. Now he’s got a way-inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail. There’s also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon’s greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him.

Interview with James R. Tuck:

Hi, James! Welcome to Rex Robot Reviews- We are glad to have you here. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind BLOOD AND BULLETS?

Hello! It's great to be here. Well, BLOOD AND BULLETS is the result of a perfect storm of things I have grown up reading and loving. Robert E. Howard's Conan stories, Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan books, millions of pages of comic books, plus all the interest I have always had in monsters and weirdness. They all roll and wrestle and come out the other side as a dark urban fantasy. Plus, as a reader, I had grown tired of reading books that were supposed to be dark and weren't. Books that for some reason always pulled back from the edge, where the monsters weren't monstrous, and the action was really dull. I wanted a book like the one I wrote. One that takes no prisoners and all bets are off. Things that lurk in the night and make a hero strap up with enough firepower to take out a small army should be dangerous and in BLOOD AND BULLETS they are.

Does Blood and Bullets have a soundtrack? If so, could you give us five songs off the soundtrack?

Oh yes there is a soundtrack to BLOOD AND BULLETS. The character of Deacon Chalk loves the blues and they flow in and out of the book, setting the stage for a dark and deadly night. The blues are the music of nighttime, of danger, of black magick and bad mojo. Some of the songs you will find in BLOOD AND BULLETS are: Serves Me Right To Suffer: by John Lee Hooker. John Lee Hooker is such a master bluesman. This song is quiet and ominous. It is a great song to open with. Nobody's Fault But Mine: by Blind Willie Johnson but sung by Glenn Kaiser and Darrel Mansfield. The original of this song is good, but it has terrible production. Led Zepplin did an amazing cover that rocked it out too. Kaiser and Mansfield put it somewhere between the two, giving it a nice kick in the ass but keeping it closer to the traditional Delta blues. Evidence: by Susan Tedeschi Ah Susan Tedeschi. The voice of a whiskey soaked angel. If Diana Ross is a torch singer then Susan Tedeschi is a flamethrower. Whipping Post: by The Allman Brothers Oh Lord, this song is the perfect distillation of Duane Allman's blues-centric slide guitar and his brother Greg's southern rock voice. Hellhounds On My Trail: by Robert Johnson The ultimate blues legend. His mournful voice wails out "blues falling down like hail And the day keeps on remindin' me, there's a hellhound on my trail..." 'Nuff said.

What was the most challenging part of the writing process?

I love being a writer. I really do. The hardest thing for me has been after the book is written to find the time to keep writing whil organizing all the promo that goes into having a new book. I love all that too, but the struggle to find enough time is the hardest thing.

What is your favorite scene from Blood and Bullets?

This is the hardest question you have asked me! If I had to pick I would say the scene where we meet Charlotte. I think I did a very good job on that one. The biggest feedback though comes fromt he scene in the dungeon, which readers one and all said was exceptionally scary, and the scene in the alley, which is the first chance we have to really see Deacon in full ass-kicking mode.

If you could choose one character from any other story, which would you choose to hunt down monsters alongside Deacon Chalk?

Oh wow. There are a ton. Okay, give me Anita Blake. I think Anita would be surprised at the fact that Deacon would not treat her like a girl. He would let her stand side by side with him and kill monsters and I think at the end she would be like: "The next time someone accuses me of being too violent I am going to send them your way."

Can you describe Deacon Chalk in 140 characters?

Big damn hero. He will save you from the monsters. That's 50 characters. Do I get a bonus?

Tell us a little bit about yourself! Three fun facts about James Tuck?

1) I have been a professional tattoo artist for the last 16 years. 2) I think The Princess Bride is the best movie ever made. 3) I am now obsessed with making iced coffee at home.

Thanks for stopping by! Are there any releases or works in progress that you're excited (and can tell us) about?

Well, look for THAT THING AT THE ZOO which is a FREE e-novella prequel to BLOOD AND BULLETS that will be out January 27, 2012. It is set approximately six months before BLOOD AND BULLETS and contains all kinds of Deacon Chalk goodness. It will be available everywhere e-books are sold. This summer look for the short film of my zombie story HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY. The deal is in the works. Also, if you wanted to read the short story it is still available at One Buck Horror in their collection titled ONE BUCK ZOMBIES available everywhere e-books are sold for only .99 cents! Other than that go like my Facebook page and check my website as there is a LOT of stuff on the horizon that I can't talk about yet!

Thank you for the great time answering your questions! Take care Loyals and True Believers!

Follow James Online!

Blood & Bullets Blog Tour

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Top Ten List with Author S.R. Johannes!!

2012-01-23T09:24:00.002-05:00

About On The Bright Side:

Gabby is a disgruntled tween angel who has just been assigned to protect her school nemesis and ex-beffie. Problem is her ex-beffie is dating Gabby’s longtime crush. Instead of protecting Angela, Gabby pranks her (since when is sticking toilet paper to her shoe or spinach in her teeth a sin?) Soon, Gabby gets out of control and is put on probation by her SKYAgent, who has anger management issues of his own. Determined to right her wrongs, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to Earth for just one day. Without knowing, she kicks off a series of events and learns what can happen when you hate someone to death.

About S.R. Johannes:

S.R. Johannes is the author of Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and On The Bright Side ( a tween paranormal). She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.

S.R. Johannes Top Ten Books

[Of All Time!]

1) Pippy Longstocking - I love how gutsy she is. How she doesn't care what anyone thinks. She knows what she wants and she sticks to it. On the other hand, she has a vulnerable side that I always adored.

2) Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck - This has been my favorite book of ALL time. In face, my dog Charley, is named after this book. John Steinbeck wrote this diary about his journey's with his dog around America. I loved his take on people, culture, and his undying love for his furry companion. It showed such a sensitive side to him as a writer.

3) James Patterson's Alex Cross series. This was way before J.P. I call him that b/c I know him :) started getting co-authors for his books. His first few books in this series - like Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider were so riveting I could not put them down. I used to sneak them from my mom's book shelf (along with Stephen King and Iris Johannsen.) I love how JP writes tension in every page and how he ends on conflict making a real page turner. He has influenced my writing the most.

4) Carrie Ryan's Forest of Hands and Teeth series. I love how Carrie has the perfect balance of literary and suspense. I am not especially fond of zombie books but these books kept me up late at night. I could not put them down. I love books like that.

5) Nancy Drew series - I read all of these - twice- when I was younger and loved them. I wanted to be Nancy Drew - but sadly I could never seem to find any mysteries to solve. :(

6) Laura Ingles Wilder series - I read these when I was younger. I loved the TV show and I loved the books. How people lived so differently then. So simply. The book that stands out is when they thought her pet raccoon got rabies and they thought Laura had it too. So sad.

7) Harry Potter - You know what I love most? That this series put children's books on the map. I thought JK wove the stories together amazingly and she had such an imagination. It taught me to let go of rules when creating fiction.

8) Farenheit 451 - This book always stuck out to me b/c I have always loved books and could not imagine. A world without books? How is that possible. Sometimes - especially with the speedy rise of digital books - it feels a little prolific but I hope not.

9) Kahil Gibran's Prophet - amazing story that again seems to be coming true sometimes. It reminded me to think for myself.

10) The teachings of the Dali Lama - It taught me that living in the moment of gratitude was the happiest place on Earth.

Follow S.R. Online

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Author Goodreads

Untracable Goodreads

On TheBright Side Goodreads

In His Eyes Anthology Goodreads

To Walk the Night by E.S. Moore [Review]

2012-01-22T16:37:00.000-05:00

3.5 out of 5 Robots!

To Walk the Night by E.S. Moore
Series: Kat Redding, #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release: January 3, 2012
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Kensington
My Copy: Publisher
ISBN-10: 0758268726
ISBN-13: 978-0758268723
Reviewer: Rex
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary:

Kat Redding is the very thing she hunts: a vampire, thirsting for blood, capable of killing any creature unlucky enough to get in her path. The difference is, Kat kills her own kind in order to protect human Purebloods. She’s good at what she does. Good enough to earn the nickname Lady Death—and the enmity of every bloodthirsty being around. But now a vampire Count is intent on merging his House with a werewolf cult to create a force of terrifying power.

Kat can’t allow that to happen. Even if it means taking on a den of weres and a vampire more ruthless than any she’s encountered before. She has the weapons, the skill, and a few allies. But that may not be enough to eliminate the Count before her own dark nature rises to the surface—and costs her whatever is left of her humanity…

My Thoughts:

To Walk the Night is the dark, gory first installment in E.S. Moore's Kat Redding series. I did find myself somewhat bored for a little bit, as there is so much world building in the beginning. I call this my first book blues. Most Urban Fantasy series that I love suffer this, but I appreciate all the fascinating world building... Really pays off in the books to come. I'll definitely be reading Kat Redding #2.

The plot really hits off about halfway through, and then the story really flowed. This is a violent, gritty Urban Fantasy novel, so if you're looking for a lot of romance, this isn't the book for you. It is well written, has great flow and is easy to follow. The ride you take with Kat is an entertaining one.

Kat Redding is super badass. I mean, they call her Lady Death. I had a hard time connecting with Kat. I need to be able to relate to my heroine better than I could here, which is the only reason this didn't get four robots. I just couldn't understand some of her decisions. Regardless, there is endless action and a fascinating world that kept me flipping the pages. I highly recommend this book to any Urban Fantasy fan out there. I think E.S. Moore is really going to deliver in the sequel!

BEA 2012: Register for Free!

2012-01-18T23:35:00.000-05:00

June 4th - 7th

I think (hope) that the blogosphere is about to BLOW UP with BEA 2012 posts. They're my favorite posts, ever. I can't even tell you how many I read last year. I may be a little early, but I'm already posting again. As you know, I've already registered for BEA 2012. I've been waiting for this moment since BEA 2011 concluded. (Sigh.)

Last year was my first year at BEA so all the blog posts prepared me for the pure awesome of BEA. Anyway, one of the big things that confused me last year was registering. Thankfully I had a blogger buddy walk me through the free registration- I was ready to pay for admission. (Thanks, Brittany!)

So... If you're a book blogger, you can register for free as such. Now this does not actually mean that you will be approved. What happens is that you register, receive a confirmation e-mail, and if they do NOT contact you within two weeks, you were approved. Free pass. Yay! If not, you can register for the BBC (Book Blogger Convention)- which includes access to the exhibit floor- or you can pay for an exhibit pass.

Register as Press/Book Blogger for Free:

- Go HERE to register.

- Fill out all your information, click continue*

- Choose Blogger (Need at least 3 posts/week)

- Your impressions are your blog stats. (Unique visitors per week/month)

- Fill out the rest of the questionnaire on this page, click continue

- Concurrent Events are NOT free. Only click the boxes if you wish to attend! Hit continue.

- Verification page! Review your information, then hit FINISH at the bottom. If you do not hit finish, it doesn't verify!

- Now it is time to wait a grueling 2 weeks to make sure you're approved. They will e-mail you if you aren't... Good luck!

*Side Note: When choosing a "Title" for yourself, if you're a blogger, I highly suggest calling yourself Blogger instead of Book Reviewer (or Editor or something else you may come up with.) I luckily chose to call myself a Blogger last year, but I know some didn't and I heard lots of angry/smart remarks about that. Besides, be proud to blog!! It is awesome. :)

For more information about BookExpo America and other ways to register, visit http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/Register-Now/

BEA 2012! Who is Going!!

2012-01-18T21:28:00.001-05:00

Our first walk to the Javitz!

Well, ok, so we have over four months until BEA 2012. But I can not contain my excitement anymore. I'm pumped. After what seems like forever obsessively checking for the 2012 Registration to open- it finally has, and I have REGISTERED! EXCITEMENT ENSUES!

Last year was amazing. This is my second year going, so I'm not exactly a veteran, but if you have any questions, let me know. Me and my partner in crime (BRITTANY!!) will be going again this year.

SO. The entire reason why I've created this post- ARE YOU GOING?

If so, leave me a comment and let me know! I'm going to start compiling a Twitter list of BEA 2012 Attendees. Hopefully I will get to know a few of you a little better before we get there! Or at least Twitter stalk you while you're in the Javitz. ;)

Now, for the longest four months ever.

Just because I know you want to see a few books from last year...

Goliath... SIX months early!

The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards [Review]

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

3 out of 5 Robots!

The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards
Genre: Children's Fantasy
Release: January 17, 2012
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
My Copy: Publisher
ISBN-10: 0062010077
ISBN-13: 978-0062010070
Reviewer: Rex
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Magic, Djinn, Ogres, and Sorcerers. Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings, long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying usurper who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.

When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must go to any lengths to rescue her. Along with her best friend, Ridhan—a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy of mysterious origins—and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

Quick Thoughts:

The Book of Wonders is an engaging Middle Grade tale by Jasmine Richards. I was pleasantly surprised as this reading level is sometimes hit or miss with me. But The Book of Wonders is a fun, extraordinary and smoothly written tale of magical beings and a young Zardi who loves the fantastical. Though the book is slow to start, after about 100 pages, it really picked up. And the slow start didn't bother me much because the world is so creative and well written.

The plot and characters are unique and vivid and the story is quite compelling. There are a few secondary characters that I'm praying make bigger appearances in the second installment. (Will definitely be reading it.) Though this is easy to put down, I had no problem picking it back up and diving right back into the story. The book is receiving three robots because though I love me some Middle-Grade Fantasy, this isn't everything I was hoping for.

Awesome 2012 debut. I'll be holding out for the second installment and recommend this to Fantasy readers. Those that aren't huge fans of Middle-Grade, just borrow it. Those that are, definitely worth purchasing and reading!

Dust of the Damned by Peter Brandvold [Review]

2012-01-13T20:32:00.000-05:00

3 out of 5 Robots!

Dust of the Damned by Peter Brandvold
Genre: Alternate History, Thriller, Urban Fantasy
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Release: January 3, 2012
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Rex
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

The Hell’s Angels are a gang of werewolves who have escaped from Hellsgarde Federal Penitentiary. They were the ones who tore the Confederates into submission at Gettysburg for Lincoln, thus ending the Civil War. Now they’ve headed West—to join the legions of other ghouls.

Armed with an arsenal of weapons, the deadliest being Marshal Angel Coffin, notorious ghoulhunter Uriah Zane must stop the hordes of shapeshifting creatures pushing west. Together, Zane and Coffin must stop the werebeasts from attaining final dominion over the earth—with humans as their servants...

Quick Thoughts:

Dust of the Damned by Peter Brandvold is a fun mesh of alternate history, western and urban fantasy. This book is a pleasant surprise- I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only reason it didn't get quite as many stars is because I'm not a big western fan, but I can't deny the awesome that is the alternate history.

I can honestly say that Peter's writing often captivated me, I felt like I was apart of the story. I have quite a few guy friends that I am super excited to recommend this to!

The plot is bloody and fast paced. The story and characters are well written and easy to follow. If you are looking for something different than your typical urban fantasy or you've been craving some alternate historical paranormal fiction- pick this book up. You won't regret it!

Tempest by Julie Cross Book Trailer!

2012-01-12T11:06:00.002-05:00

Check out the fun new trailer above for a glimpse into
TEMPEST by Julie Cross!

TEMPEST, hits shelves January 17, 2012!

About Tempest:

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

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Giveaway! The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards!

2012-01-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

About the Book:

Sorcerers, Cyclops, Djinnis . . . Magic.

Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone who is caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying tyrant who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.

When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must risk everything to rescue her. Along with Rhidan, who is her best friend, and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.

This or That List with

Author Jasmine Richards!

Hi, nice to be here on your blog. Thanks for having me!

Werewolves or Warlocks?

Zardi, my heroine in the Book of Wonders, is fascinated with magic. She loves hearing stories about enchantments even though the mere mention of magic could get you in serious trouble, even killed. The sultan, when he first came to power, executed anyone who could cast spells or knew magic. Therefore, if Zardi was to be confronted by a werewolf or a warlock – she’d most definitely go for the warlock. She’d be very intrigued by the idea of magic. Also, as an author, I have a soft spot for warlocks. I’ve actually written about them in another book which is published under my pen name JD Sharpe. You can check it out here or on the website.

Italian Ice or Ice Cream?

I think Zardi would definitely prefer Italian Ice as this is closest to her sister’s recipe for sherbet. This is a fruity ice dessert that her sister promises to make her for her birthday.

Paperback or Ebook?

I think Zardi would be attracted to ebooks as she likes all that is novel and exciting. New horizons excite her.

Beach or Mountains?

I would definitely say beach because it is near the sea and Zardi loves the sea. In fact, at the beginning of the book, it is clear that Zardi’s lifelong ambition is to become a sailor. However, it is only when her sister is imprisoned by the sultan that she sets sail on a quest to bring back magic to her kingdom in an attempt to defeat the sultan.

Green or Pink?

I would definitely say green. Pink is far too girly for Zardi!

Romance or Urban Fantasy?

Urban Fantasy. Zardi is a girl who likes action, action, and then a bit more action! So I would say urban fantasy. I also think she would be intrigued by the setting and would love hearing about a world that was very different to hers.

Day or Night?

I’m going to say night as The Book of Wonders was inspired by the collection of stories called Arabian Nights, also known as 1001 Nights. In this collection of stories, the wazier’s daughter Scheherazade must tell stories for 1001 nights to keep her head [you see, the sultan has a habit of executing young women]. I loved these stories when I was younger, especially the Seven voyages of Sinbad the Sailor and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. However, I never the liked the idea that the sultan got away with beheading lots of other young women before meeting Scheherazade who melts his heart. The Book of Wonders is my way of giving another story to Scheherazade and sultan. A version where he doesn’t get away with murder. . .

Puppies or Kittens?

In The Book of Wonders Zardi is described as a kitten by the sultan and although this is meant as an insult the sultan is more right than he knows because Zardi’s names means Lion-born. It is the perfect name for her because she has feline agility and is super fierce.

Mac or PC Mac?

I think Zardi would go for the mac because it seems more sleek and powerful - words that Zardi would like. I write on a PC though!

Soda or Lemonade?

I think lemonade. The sharpness fits with the fact that The Book of Wonders will at points make you draw breath but is, I hope, refreshing! Thanks for the questions!

About the Author:

Jasmine Richards was born in London, grew up in a library, and was the first in her family to go to university. After graduating from Oxford, and following a brief stint at New Scotland Yard, Jasmine chose a career in publishing over being the next Sherlock Holmes. Today she's a senior editor at a leading British publishing house. She now lives in Oxfordshire with her husband in an old wool mill. The Book of Wonders is her first novel and she would love to know what you think about it.

Giveaway: Forever's PS I Love You Blog Tour!

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Giveaway ~Don't Breath a Word: Street Life Feature!

2012-01-10T19:53:00.000-05:00

About Compromised

by Heidi Ayarbe:

Maya's life has always been chaotic. Living with a con-man dad, she's spent half her life on the run. Whenever her father's schemes go wrong, Maya finds a scientific way to fix it. But when her dad ends up in prison and foster care fails, Maya grasps at her last possible hope of a home: a long-lost aunt, who may not even exist.

So Maya formulates a plan, and with her wits, two unlikely allies, and twenty dollars in her pocket, she sets off in search of this aunt, navigating the unpredictable four hundred miles from Reno to Boise. Life on the streets, though, becomes a struggle for survival—those scientific laws Maya has relied on her whole life just don't apply. And with each passing day, Maya's definitions of right and wrong are turned upside down when she's confronted with the realities and dangers of life as a runaway. She can't help but wonder if trying to find her aunt—and some semblance of stability—is worth the harrowing journey or if she should compromise and find a way to survive on her own.

Guest Post with Heidi Ayarbe!

I live in Colombia, South America and part of my daily life is confronting the homelessness in my city. Pereira (Risaralda, Colombia) is the city in Colombia with the highest unemployment rate and a hub for displaced people who flee the countryside because of paramilitary and guerilla violence. Nevada, where I’m from, is one of the states with the highest percentage of homelessness in the United States. My daughter, who is only three, is already incredibly aware of the fact some people don’t have homes like we do. And one of the things we’ve tried to teach her is always look everyone in the eye, even when we don’t give money away (we only give away food), and say, “Good morning. Not today, Sir.” Because what I’ve found to be one of the saddest things about homelessness is what I call “the invisibility factor.”

It’s uncomfortable seeing people with signs that say, “Will work for food” on the streets. It’s uncomfortable smelling people who haven’t bathed for a long time. And many, instead of looking at the people we encounter on the street, only look at the circumstance. Beyond that “circumstance,” though, is a human being with a story that we probably can’t even begin to fathom. It’s easy to judge when we’re not hungry and have a roof over our heads.

That’s why I wrote Compromised. I wanted to get into the world of three young people who, because of life choices, bad luck (which is a big part of it), health afflictions, and limited options find themselves fighting to survive on the streets. I wanted to make sure we would SEE these children (because 1.5 million American children are homeless each year, according to the National Center on Family Homelessness). And I thought they had a story worthy of telling.

When I began Compromised , I had no idea what I was getting into. I was naïve about life on the streets and the realities of runaways. But the more I researched, the more I realized that this wasn’t going to be a road trip book. There’s no way, as a writer, I could enter a world of runaways and homelessness without discussing exploitation, abuse, prostitution, violence, suicide, hunger, death, and all of the aspects a world on the street entails. Not discussing these issues would result in a story without integrity. And I believe Maya, Nicole, and Klon all had stories worth telling. As a writer, I had to be honest, and I hope I achieved honesty in their lives, their friendship, and their tragedies.