Book Review: Stalker in the Shadows by Camy Tang + Giveaway

Stalker in the Shadows by Camy Tang

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (Harlequin)

Publish Date: January 3, 2012

Paperback, 224 pages 
Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Christian
 ISBN: 978-0373444755

My Review:
If you like suspense and romance in a quick-to-read format then this is just the book for you.  Stalker in the Shadows packs quite a punch for a short 200 page novel.  Camy Tang knows how to pace the novel well for this format so that things move quickly but never too quickly and so that my attention never waned.

I loved Stalker in the Shadows and I will now make sure I go back and read the first two books in this series.  Not because I needed to for this book to make sense, but because I liked Ms. Tang's writing and also because I liked the setting and the family.  I want to know more about them.  Stalker in the Shadows was a nice stand alone with characters from the earlier novels and I think there were mentions of things that happened, but nothing that gave away what happened in the books (except the couple outcomes, but the reader knows those going in anyway).

Monica was a great main character.  She was strong, but she had her faults that she needed to work through.  It was something I really didn't see coming, but understand fully as I deal with it as well.  I think a lot of women will find Monica easy to relate to.  She's a great character.  I admired her strength.  I also enjoyed Shaun who is a bit tortured.  He has some things in his past he needs to work through, but in typical human fashion, he thinks he should hang onto that guilt.  I liked watching him in the protector role in the book, it suited him.  I also liked seeing him start to work through his issues.  He was easy to relate to as well, as his issue was guilt and I think we all carry some form of guilt with us.  The chemistry between Monica and Shaun was great as well.  I was cheering for them through the book and at times wanted to hit both of them over the head, but that was what made the book interesting.  There was a build up for their relationship and Ms. Tang did that very well.

As I mentioned earlier, the plot is well-paced.  It built up through the whole book and never felt rushed like the short format can sometimes do.  It came to it's climax and resolved itself in a timely manner and then the book was over.  I felt satisfied with the ending and surprised by the climax, and I was guessing through the whole book who was the stalker.  Ms. Tang does an amazing job with the suspense element also.

Stalker in the Shadows reminds me that the Love Inspired Suspense is s great line from Harlequin.  Clean romances with a Christian focus, yet they don't pound you over the head with Christianity.  Ms. Tang wrote a wonderful, suspenseful romance that had me on the edge of my seat and cheering for Monica and Shaun from the beginning to the end.  It's a great book and I can't recommend it enough.  I also can't wait to go back and read the first two in the series as well.  Camy Tang is quickly becoming a must-read author for me.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0

About the Book:
"Consider this a warning."

Lately, nurse Monica Grant feels she's being watched. Followed. And then she receives a threatening letter—accompanied by a dead snake. If she doesn't stop her plans to open a free children's clinic, she'll end up dead, too. Terrified, Monica turns to former lawman Shaun O'Neill—who believes the same madman murdered his own sister five years before. She understands how much it means to the handsome, heart-guarding man to save her—and her dream. Even if he has to lure a deadly stalker out of the shadows—straight toward himself.


About the Author (from Goodreads.com): 
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. On her blog, she ponders knitting, spinning wool, dogs, running, the Never Ending Diet, and other frivolous things. 

Website
Twitter
Facebook
Blog

Giveaway:
If you go to Camy's website above and join her mailing list and leave your email address and name below, I'll enter you to win a book from my giveaway page.  Get a second entry if you join Camy's Street Team, please mention my name, Crystal Fulcher, when emailing Camy to join.  You can get the specifics on the Street Team here.  I'll go international with this one, ends 1/17/2012.  You must enter your info on her site and also opt-in with the confirmation email.  I will double-check with Camy to make sure the winner is on the email list.


Note:  Must be new subscribers to Camy's newsletter.

FTC Information: I received this book from the author for an honest review.  I do make money from purchases made at The Book Depository and B&N.com, but all money is used to fund giveaways and shipping for giveaways from the blog.

Harlequin Silhouette 2012 Reading Challenge

I saw this one while reading through my feeds today and I knew I had to join.  I have stacks of Harlequin/Silhouette books from the past that I have not read so this will help me read a few of them.  I am sure it will be easy to meet the challenges below.  This challenge is the Harlequin Silhouette 2012 Reading Challenge at Islandgirl Reads Romance.  Below are the rules and you can go here to sign up with the linky.


Rules:
1) This Challenge is from Jan 1, 2012 to Dec 31, 2012.
2) All of the books must be from the Harlequin family of imprints (includes Mira books as well)
3) Read one book for each of the following requirements:

• The name of a place in the title (whether a country or small city or town)
• A weather condition in the title (snow, rain, storm etc.)
• A Title must be in the title of the book (Prince, Countess, etc)
• The author's first or last name beginning with the letter M
• A Holiday/Season in the title (Valentine, Christmas, Summer, etc)
• A color must be in the title (red, blue, green etc)

Other information:

1) Please join the challenge by signing up with Mr. Linky. The link must be the one announcing
     your participation on your blog - not just the link to your blog in general.

2) You can grab the button above and post it on your site.

3) A list ahead of time is not necessary and may be changed at any time

4) Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebook

5) Books may be used for other challenges

6) Go to eHarlequin for book information, anything you can purchase there counts for the challenge.

There will be a raffle and prize at the end of the year using the names of everyone who completed the challenge.

I'll list my books as I finish.

1. 
   

YA Contemporary Challenge 2012

I just can't seem to quit joining challenges!  I saw this one and had to join.  It's the YA Contemporary Challenge 2012 hosted by Katie's Book Blog and Reading Angel.    Here is a brief overview from her website, but you can go here for more info and to sign up.
 
Levels:
Level 1: 5+ books
Level 2: 10+ books
Level 3: 15+ books

Rules:
You can read any contemporary YA novel that is published between January 1, 2012 and December 30, 2012 but you must read them in 2012! (All formats accepted: paperback, ARC, e-book)

Books included:
We have created a spreadsheet (organized by release date) for contemporary YA books published in 2012. If there is a book that is not on the spreadsheet that you know fits the guidelines, let us know and we will add it.  There is also a Goodreads list.  You can use either one.  Currently the spreadsheet has more books on it.

Spreadsheet
Goodreads list
I'm joining at Level 2 and hoping to make Level 3 because I love contemp YA books.  I'll list them as I finish.  Funny thing is as I was looking over the list, I have already read about 4-5 of the books but I read them last year because they are tour books.  Oh well there is still lots of great books to choose from!

1. One Moment by Kristina McBride
2. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
3. Burn for Burn by Jenny Han
4. Crazy by Amy Reed
5. All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen

Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge 2012

My next challenge is the Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge 2012  at Book Chick City.  Specifics on what defines an ARC and sign-ups can be found here.  Otherwise here is an overview of the rules and the levels from her blog:

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: There are TWO LEVELS you can choose from:

 - Read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2012 
 - Read TWENTY FOUR (24) mystery & suspense novels in 2012 

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

• You DO NOT have to write reviews of the books you read, but if you decide you would like to then Mr Linky will be available each month so you can link up your reviews.

• You don't have to have a blog to join in - for those without a blog but who use Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing etc, you can add the URL to where you track your books. If you don't have a URL at all then choose a name you would like to use and then copy and paste the following link: 

http://www.bookchickcity.com/2011/12/sign-up-mystery-suspense-reading.html

• You can choose from the numerous sub-genres of mystery and suspense, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or romantic suspense written by the likes of Linda Howard, forensic crime such as those written by Kathy Reichs and even paranormal/supernatural suspense such as Kelley Armstrong. I'm sure this challenge will have something for everyone! :)

I'm doing the read 24 books challenge.  I'll list them as I finish.

1. Gun Games by Faye Kellerman
2. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
3. In Peril by Suzanne Hartmann
4. Dead and Not So Buried by James L. Conway
5. When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason
6. Lovesick by Spencer Seidel
7. Partials by Dan Wells
8. The Defector by Mark Chisnell
9. Blood Orchids by Toby Neal
10. A Darkly Hidden Truth by Donna Fletcher Crow
11. Frantic by Mike Dellosso
12. On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane
13. What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen
14. One Moment by Kristina McBride
15. A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster
16. Malice by Griffin Hayes
17. Night Season by Chelsea Cain
18. Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben
19. Come Home by Lisa Scottoline
20. Stay Close by Harlan Coben
21. The Lost Years by Mary Higgins Clark
22. Eyes of Justice by Lis Wiehl
23. Guilty Wives by James Patterson
24. Gone Girl by Gillian Flyn
25. Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
26. One Breath by Heather Gudenkauf
27. Seizure by Kathy Reichs
28. Wake by Amanda Hocking
29. Legal Legacy by Irene Hannon
30. And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman
31. What the Heart Remember by Debra Ginsberg
32. When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason
33. Conjure by Lea Nolan
34. The Witness by Nora Roberts
35. Placebo by Steven James
36. Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson
37. The Racketeer by John Grisham
38. Invisible Boy by Cornelia Reed
39. Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
40. The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener
41. The Last Victim by Karen Robards
42. Heaven's Fury by Stephen Frey
43. Political Suicide by Michael Palmer
44. Merry Christmas Alex Cross by James Patterson
45. All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen
    

Book Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publish Date: January 24, 2012

Hardcover, 384 pages 
Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal
 ISBN: 978-0062071132

My Review:
Wow, this is a story that can transport you away, suck you in and enthrall you all-in-one.  I had a hard time making myself go to work on Friday.  I really wanted to stay home and read this.  Instead I spent the morning Saturday finishing this up.  What an amazing book.

I was captivated by Nikki (Becks) from the first page when she is separating from Cole in the Everneath.  I was left wondering why she was there, did she love Cole, but then bam, she's thinking about another boy and he's the reason she wants to leave.  Wow.  As the book goes by, I found myself more and more under her spell.  She really wants to do what is right.  She has made mistakes.  I also found myself really liking Jack, the mysterious boy who lures her back to the real world and Jules, her best friend from before as well.  Cole makes a great "bad guy" of sorts.  He seems bad, but is he?  I found his character interesting in the book even if I never could like him.

The plot was amazing.  I love how Ms. Ashton goes back and forth in time to show what happened in the past to lead up to what is going on now.  She handles the back and forth masterfully so I was never confused.  She also paces it well, never giving away too  much and keeping the reader enthralled and wanting to turn pages to figure out what made Nikki make that final decision.  And the ending, wow, what can I say.  You know I won't give it away, but it's just astounding. 

I loved the book as a whole, the characters, the plot, the pacing, it was all masterful.  The incorporation of mythology was a nice touch as well and made the book have even more depth.  I found myself enthralled by the mythology angle.  I loved mythology in school and wasn't as familiar with the stories she used.  The great thing, this is Ms. Ashton's first book.  I can't wait to read her next book.  So if you are looking for a great YA book from a debut author that has mythology, suspense, great characters and a well-paced plot, then give Everneath a read.  And make sure you don't have to go to work or school the next day.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0

Parental guidance: No bad language, some references to sex, but it's very vague. Characters kiss and things do heat up, but again this is vague and "off camera" and handled well I think.  It's a book best for 14+ I think.  But overall it's a clean book.

About the Book:
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

About the Author (from Goodreads.com): 
I write Young Adult novels. I eat cinnamon bears. I love me some Diet Coke.

My debut book EVERNEATH (the first in a trilogy) comes out Winter 2012 with Balzer and Bray (Harper Collins).

I'm represented by Michael Bourret at Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.

Twitter
Goodreads
Blog

FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I do make money from purchases made at The Book Depository and B&N.com, but all money is used to fund giveaways and shipping for giveaways from the blog.

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Another challenge to join is the 2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge at The Eclectic Bookshelf.  Specifics on what defines an ARC and sign-ups can be found here.  Otherwise here is an overview of the rules and the levels from her blog:

The Rules:

• Anyone can join.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.
• Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.
• No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

There are four levels:

1. The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
2. The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.
3. The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.
4. The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

I'm joining at the Mega size level because I love YA books.  I'll list them as I finish.

1. Cinder by Marissa Mayer - 1/5/2012
2. Everneath by Brodi Ashton - 1/7/2012 
3. Dragon's Oath by P.C. and Kristin Cast - 1/15/12
4. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore - 1/29/12
5. The Jerk Magnet by Melody Carlson - 2/2/12
6. Partials by Dan Wells - 2/18/12
7. Chase Against Time by Steve Reifman - 3/1/12
8. On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane - 3/4/12
9. The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker - 3/10/12
10. Delirium by Lauren Kate - 3/19/12
11. The Blood Lie by Shirley Reva Vernick - 3/21/12
12. Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom by Emily Franklin - 3/22/12
13.  My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent - 3/23/12
14. My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent - 3/24/12
15. What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen - 3/24/12
16. Cobbogoth by Hannah L. Clark - 3/29/12
17. On Moment by Kristen McBride - 3/30/12
18. My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent - 3/31/12
19. Lenobia's Vow by P.C. and Kristin Cast - 4/3/12
20. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen - 4/6/12
21. The Selection by Kiera Cass - 4/21/12
22. Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon - 5/21/12
23. Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon - 5/26/12
24. Crazy by Amy Reed - 6/1/12
25. Divergent by Veronica Roth - 6/6/12
26. The Best Friend by Melody Carlson - 6/7/12
27. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - 6/9/12
28. Phantom by Laura DeLuca - 6/12/12
29. Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown - 6/21/12
30. My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent - 7/15/12
31. Reaper by Rachel Vincent -  7/18/12
32. Virals by Kathy Reichs - 7/20/12
33. Emerald Isle by Kate Hinderer - 7/23/12
34. Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole - 7/24/12
35. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 8/2/12
36. If I Die by Rachel Vincent - 8/4/12
37. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - 8/4/12
38. Wake by Amanda Hocking - 8/5/12
39. Fallen by Lauren Kate - 8/12/12
40. Cora Flash and the Diamond of Madagascar by Tommy Davey - 8/15/12
41. Torment by Lauren Kate - 8/29/12
42. Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent - 8/31/12
43. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire - 9/3/12
44. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - 9/5/12
45. Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent - 9/13/12
46. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins - 9/17/12
47. Beneath the Glitter by Elle and Blair Fowler - 9/19/12
48. Passion by Kate Lauren - 9/21/12
49. Burn for Burn by Jenny Han - 9/22/12
50. Fever by Lauren DeStefano - 9/24/12
51. Frostbite by Richelle Mead - 9/26/12
52. Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin - 9/30/12
53. Settling by Shelley Workinger - 10/4/12
54. Solid by Shelley Workinger - 10/5/12
55. Fallen in Love by Kate Lauren - 10/6/12
56. Conjure by Lea Nolan - 10/18/12
57. Commencement by Paige Cuccaro - 10/23/12
58. Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins - 10/28/12
59. Forgotten Lyrics by Amanda Hocking - 11/6/12
60. Rapture by Lauren Kate - 11/6/12
61. Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson - 11/14/12
62. Across the Universe by Beth Revis - 11/16/12
63. Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer - 11/23/12
64. Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep - 11/25/12
65. Crossed by Ally Condie - 11/27/12
66. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead - 11/30/12
67. Reached by Ally Condie - 12/4/12
68. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake - 12/8/12
69. A Million Suns by Beth Revis - 12/12/12
70. All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen - 12/17/12
71. Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep - 12/18/12

2012 ARC Reading Challenge

Another challenge to join is the 2012 ARC Reading Challenge at The Eclectic Bookshelf.  Specifics on what defines an ARC and sign-ups can be found here.  Otherwise here is an overview of the rules and the levels from her blog:

The Rules:

• Anyone can join.
• You don't need a blog to participate.
• Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the monthly wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.
• Audio, eBooks, and bound books count.
• No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
• Create a sign up post and link to the linky below.
• Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012.
• Crossover challenges is ok

There are four levels:

1. The Mini ARC Challenge – Read 4 ARC's.
2. The "Fun Size" ARC Challenge – Read 10 ARC's.
3. The Jumbo Size ARC Challenge – Read 20 ARC's.
4. The Mega size ARC Challenge – Read 21+ ARC's.

I'm joining at the Mega size level because I really need to make headway through my ARCs this year!  I'll list them as I finish.

1. A Whisper to a Scream by Karen Wojcik Berner - 1/1/2012
2. Cinder by Marissa Mayer - 1/5/2012
3. Everneath by Brodi Ashton - 1/7/2012 
4. The Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy - 2/11/2012
5. Lovesick by Spencer Seidel - 2/15/2012
6. Partials by Dan Wells - 2/19/2012
7. The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker - 3/10/2012
8. What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen - 3/24/2012
9. One Moment by Kristina McBride - 3/30/2012
10. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen - 4/6/2012
11. The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain - 4/24/2012
12. Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire - 4/30/2012
13. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - 6/15/2012
14. Monarch Beach by Anita Hughes - 6/16/2012
15. Love is Murder edited by Sandra Brown - 6/18/2012
16. Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown - 6/21/2012
17. One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf - 7/1/2012
18. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - 8/4/2012
19. Wake by Amanda Hocking - 8/5/2012
20. Beneath the Glitter by Elle and Blair Fowler - 9/19/2012
21. Heaven Should Fall by Rebecca Coleman - 10/3/2012
22. Double Time by Olivia Cunning - 11/12/2012
23. Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens - 12/2/2012
24.