ARC Arrival: hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

I received this from Miriam Parker at Hachette Books.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Publish Date: October 13, 2009
Pages: 400

From the book cover:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I am loving young adult novels at the moment and this one sounds really good. I'll be giving my ARC away after I read it, so be on the lookout for that.

Review and Giveaway - Hollywood is Like High School with Money by Zoey Dean

Hollywood is Like High School With Money





rating: 4.5/5.0










From the back of the arc:

Twenty-four-year old Taylor Henning has just landed her dream job as an assistant at a major movie studio. But when her catty coworkers trick her into almost getting fired, she realizes that the old saying "Hollywood is like school with money" just may be true. The thing is, Taylor wasn't exactly a social butterfly in high school-how is she supposed to do any better the second time around?

That's when she meets her boss's popular sixteen-year-old daughter Quinn, and has an epiphany: maybe this teenager can teach her how to use her queen bee tactics to succeed in the Hollywood popularity contest. Quinn comes up with a plan to teach Taylor one lesson a week-everything from "Fake it 'til you make it" to "It's *never* your fault"--and soon Taylor finds herself winning the war against rival assistant Kylie. Until, that is, she's directed to steal Kylie's boyfriend, and something happens that's not in the game plan: Taylor falls for the guy. Now she must do the impossible-- harness her inner mean girl while staying true to herself.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was my first book by Zoey Dean and I will look to her backlist to read some more. She really seems to have her pulse on the younger female trying to make her way in the world (and this is not truly exclusive to the 20-something female - it's true for all females).

From the beginning I liked Taylor - I could identify with her. Wanting to succeed at what she was doing, yet she's not truly a backstabber or an extreme go-getter. However in Hollywood, she has to reinvent herself to get ahead unlike how she was in high school. Enter her boss' daughter who gives her lessons on how to get ahead. Also her co-worker becomes her nemesis and she tries to do all she can to sabotage her, even accidentally falling for her boyfriend.

Even though Taylor begins to change, her true self still shines through. It's a novel about growth and learning to be yourself and still get ahead. There are twists and turns, some laughs and some times I needed a tissue. It's a real story, yet it lets you getaway for awhile. You can be Taylor and feel all her emotions, and that is something that shows a great story.

Check it out - you won't be disappointed.


Binding: Paperback
On-sale Date: July 23, 2009
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 288

I have one copy of the book to giveaway thanks to Miriam Parker. I will open the contest today through August 15. Please enter by:

1. Commenting on my blog, make sure I have a way to contact you. (+1)
   
2. Become a blog follower or let me know if you are already a follower (+1)
3. Tell me any other Zoey Dean books you have read and enjoyed (+1)
4. Tweet about this review and giveaway, use @cfulcher in the tweet so I can find it (+1)
5. Follow me on Twitter (or let me know if you are a current follower) (+1)
6. Blog about this contest and let me know the link (sidebar or post is fine) (+1)

So there you go - 6 ways to get an entry into this contest. You can leave them in separate posts or one post, it doesn't matter, I will make sure you get your entries, just make sure to let me know what you do.''

Other reviews of Hollywood is Like High School With Money:

Kristi at Books and Needlepoint
Poplin's Lair
Bellas Novella
A Novel Menagerie
The Review Broads
Drey's Library
In Bed With Books
Reading is My Superpower
Merry Weather
Books, Movies and Chinese Food

ARC Arrival: I Can See You by Karen Rose

I Can See You by Karen Rose

I received this from Miriam Parker at Hachette Books.

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publish Date: August 5, 2009
Pages: 496

From the ARC:

New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose delivers her latest pulse-pounding suspense novel, where the line between the virtual world and everyday reality blurs when it comes to murder.

Eve Wilson's face was once scarred by a vicious assault. Terrified and ashamed, she escaped to the online realm, where she could choose the face she allowed people to see. Years later, her outer scars faded and inner scars buried, Eve has fought her way back to the real world and is determined to help others do the same. Now a graduate student moonlighting as a bartender, Eve researches the addictive powers of online communities. When her test subjects begin turning up dead as a result of apparent suicides, she doesn't know where to turn.

Homicide detective Noah Webster is one of the few people who believe the victims are connected murders. Eve becomes Noah's online guide and realizes that the handsome detective may have secret scars as painful as her own. As Eve and Noah chase a killer who is always one step ahead of them, together they try to overcome the tragedies of their pasts and learn to trust again, but they soon discover that danger is much closer than they think.

I love Karen Rose so I am looking forward to reading this. Romantic Suspense is one of my absolute favorite things to read and Karen Rose is a master at it.

Review Copy Arrival: Alibi by Teri Woods

Alibi by Teri Woods

I received this from Miriam Parker at Hachette Books.

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publish Date: August 6, 2009
Pages: 272

From the book cover:

Two men think they've found the perfect opportunity--a chance to rob the stash house of Simon Shuller, one of Philadelphia's biggest drug lords. But their plans are spoiled when one of Shuller's men catches them as they break into the stash house. Temperatures flare as the men capture Shuller's worker, Poncho, and force him to show them the goods. What they didn't expect was for Poncho's partner to be armed and very dangerous. An altercation breaks out and when the smoke clears, Nard, Poncho's accomplice, is the only one left standing. Thinking quickly, Nard cleans shop and makes his escape, but not before being spotted by a few neighbors. Not wanting to kill anyone else, he makes a mad dash for the streets but wonders if the witnesses will give up his identity. What he needs now is a plausible alibi. If he doesn't come up with one fast, it could mean life in prison, or death on the streets.

Daisy Fothergill needs money--fast. Life as a stripper and barmaid isn't paying the bills, so when her boyfriend offers her cash to provide an alibi for his friend, Daisy is more than happy to oblige. Once Daisy realizes she's aiding and abetting a cold-blooded killer--and that the FBI is on to her--she decides to bolt...from both Nard and the government agents. But someone is watching Daisy, and her time is about to run out.

About the Author: Teri Woods is a native of Philadelphia. She was a legal secretary/paralegal for eight years ina Philadelphia law firm. Teri lives in new Jersey with her two children. She is hard at work on her next novel.


This will be my first book by Ms. Woods and I am looking forward to reading it.