Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Wednesday Meme's & South of Salem Review

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/ , that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


The Winters in Bloom by Lisa Tucker


The Winters In Bloom by Lisa Tucker
Atria Books
September 13,2011

In bestselling author Lisa Tucker's latest, a family discovers that it's only when the walls between the present and past crumble that the future can bloom.


Together for over a decade, Kyra and David Winter are happier than they ever thought they could be. They have a comfortable home, stable careers, and a young son, Michael, who they love more than anything. Yet because of their complicated histories, Kyra and David have always feared that this domestic bliss couldn't last - that the life they created was destined to be disrupted. And on one perfectly average summer day, it is: Michael disappears from his own backyard.

The only question is whose past has finally caught up with them: David feels sure that Michael was taken by his troubled ex-wife, while Kyra believes the kidnapper must be someone from her estranged family, someone she betrayed years ago.

As the Winters embark on a journey of time and memory to find Michael, they will be forced to admit these suspicions, revealing secrets about themselves they've always kept hidden. But they will also have a chance to discover that it's not too late to have the family they've dreamed of; that even if the world is full of risks, as long as they have hope, the future can bloom.

Lyrical, wise, and witty, The Winters in Bloom is Lisa Tucker's most optimistic work to date. This enchanting, life-affirming story will charm readers and leave them full of wonder at the stubborn strength of the human heart. 

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Vanish by Sophie Jordan
HarperTeen
September 6, 2011

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading? 
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?
Current Reads:
Those Across the River The Bond: ConquerorGhost on Black Mountain

Just Finished:


In My Dreams When She Woke Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years, #1) A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Nine Romances of American Pioneer Christmases

What's Next?

Necropolis  SC Becoming (Daughters of Saraqael Book One) (Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy)  The Haunted Brothel

Those would be, (I know the titles aren't clear on these):
Necropolis SC by Michael Dempsey
Becoming by Raine Thomas
The Haunted Brothel by Bret Jordan




Sunset Vampire Series Giveaway at Books & Barks




South of Salem


South of Salem by Janni Nell
Carina Press


From Good Reads


My mother thinks my job is crazy. I’ m a paranormal investigator; she’s Nancy Reagan crossed with Martha Stewart. She’s always preferred my sister, Lily, who is following in her perfect footsteps.
But this time Mom needs my special skills. She believes my stepfather is possessed. I admit he’s not his usual dapper, charming self, but sleepwalking doesn't sound that weird. Until the sleepwalking spreads through the family and cousin Donna walks right out of her apartment window to her death. Then my sister goes missing and I have to find her and solve the mystery before Lily and her unborn child are harmed.
Normally I would have assistance, but my right hand, a hunky angel I’ve nicknamed Casper, has business of his own to take care of business that might take him out of my life forever. The stakes are too high for me to lose, but I’ m not sure I can do it alone

My Review

This is book 2 in the Allegra Fairweather Series. If you haven’t read book 1 do not let that stop you. There are a few references to book 1 but they are not essential to the enjoyment of the story. They do leave you intrigued about the first book though.
Allegra is a paranormal investigator with a guardian angel – a hot, sexy but totally off limits angel. She has a perfect mother and sister, neither of whom acknowledges the paranormal. That is until Allegra’s mother believes that her husband, a politician, has become possessed. Then it turns out there is a family curse on him and her sister Lily’s husband. The witch who cursed the family is also after Lily’s unborn child. This would seem to be a dark read except for the snarky wit that is sprinkled throughout the book. There is some sibling rivalry but I found it to be believable as Allegra and her sister don’t get along and yet can and do count on each other. There is also reference to Allegra’s father who disappeared years before. Although her mother believes him dead Allegra knows this is not the case. It is something I think will come up again in future books in the series. The characters are well defined. I especially appreciated the background on the witches who were involved with the curse and how they related to the family. Allegra has a best friend who is a witch and helps her on this case. I think we will be seeing more of her either in this series or perhaps a spin off series.
I found this to be a fast but entertaining read. I enjoyed it enough to pick up the first book and be interested in the next book in the series. I particularly want to see where the relationship with Allegra and Casper, her guardian angel, goes. If you have been reading heavy books and are looking for a break with some light, pleasant reading I would recommend South of Salem. It has action, snark, good character and plot development, realistic family dynamics and some sexual tension. There are no heavy sexual scenes so it is fine for those who prefer cleaner reads. It is an enjoyable paranormal book.

I received this book from Net Galley. No compensation was offered or received. A review while appreciated was not mandatory.

18 comments:

Bailey said...

Vanish is soo good! =D Great pick!

Anonymous said...

Lots of interesting choices! I love the cover of Necropolis, the neon lights and man in the shadows hooked my imagination.

Thanks for the WWW visit! Have a great week of reading. :)

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

Haven't heard of your first WoW choice, but have read Vanish and loved it! Be sure to check out NetGalley, that's where I got it from and was able to read it early!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Frances said...

Thanks all for stopping by! I checked on NG but didn't find Vanish. Must have missed it. :(

Mimi Valentine said...

Oh my gosh, I LOVED Firelight and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Vanish! The cover is gorgeous, and the synopsis makes me want to squeal! :)

Awesome picks for your WOW, Cristina! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Book Sake said...

I haven't read Firelight yet and I really need to check out Vanish. They both sound great.

Thanks for stopping by Book Sake.

KB said...

I'm really enjoying your reviews, my friend.

Gina @ My Precious said...

Wow, You've been busy. What did you think of Wicked. I read it a long time ago and thought it was VERY weird.

I just picked up Firelight for $1.99 on amazon.com so now I can read the series. It sounds good but I have seen mixed reviews. Wanted to see for myself.

Rabbit said...

I haven't heard of The Winters in Bloom or read the Firelight books, but the summaries sound interesting! I have heard good things about the first Firelight book though! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Rumana @ Relook the Book

Karen L. said...

I'm definitely waiting on Vanish as well! Thanks for stopping by and following! Following you back :)

Vampyre Gurls Book Club Blog said...

You have quite a few awesome picks here. I hear mixed about firelight & I have it so I think I will give it a shot.
I think I am gonna come back and copy these titles on my note pad in my laptop so I can check em out.
New follower, grabbed button.
Check out my WOW please

Dani @ Refracted Light said...

Your first WoW sounds like it could be terrifying but very interesting and emotional...hopefully with a happy ending. Vanish...I wasn't a huge fan of Firelight, but I'll definitely read the next one. I mean, Jordan did leave us with a gigantic cliffhanger...

Thanks for stopping by the WoW :)

Lauren B said...

Great choices.
Thanks for stopping by and yes, I did enjoy 14. I will post a review soon.

Nina @ Death, Books, and Tea said...

Not read Firelight yet...but both of these sound good. Hope you enjoy them when they come out!

teen said...

I haven't heard of Winter's Bloom before but it sounds good! I'll have to check it out.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Louisa said...

I can't wait for Vanish, either! Even though I haven't read Firelight :)

And you read the book verison of Wicked? I'm going to have to check it out, I saw the musical in NY in may on band tour :)

Frances said...

Thanks everybody for coming by. Wicked is a good book. I found it a bit hard to get into at first but then it picks up. I want to go to the musical. Sadly I will have to take a plane trip somewhere to do that. LOL

Mandroid said...

Thanks for stopping by! I'm going to have to keep an eye out for Vanish. Sounds interesting.

What did you think of Wicked? It really surprised me the first time I read it, how different it was from the musical.

Leslie
WorkingfortheMandroid.com

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