Saturday, December 24, 2011

Book Review: Untraceable by S. R. Johannes





 Book Description (From the Author's website)

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. 

When Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. After finding a Cheetos bag and stolen government file, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy who has an intoxicating accent and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged, Wyn. 

After a few run-ins with the town's police chief, her father's partner, and some new evidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. 

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 emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.


My Thoughts:

Let me just say if I'm ever lost in the woods or need to find someone, Grace Wells is the girl I'd want by my side. For one thing, she knows the woods like nobody's business and for another, she never gives up. Even when it seems that everyone's against her, she just keeps pushing on to what she thinks is right. She won't let anyone stand in her way - even her own mother. And when the chips are down, she'd have your back. What more could you ask for?

Even though the protagonist of this story is a girl, I think this is the type of story that will appeal to boys as well as girls. Partly due to the way it's written - it's very straightforward, no flowery prose here - and partly due to the premise of the story. At times, Grace is all tomboy, hiking in the woods, fly fishing, tracking down clues to her father's disappearance, but when she meets a cute, mysterious boy in the woods, she's reminded that she is, indeed, a girl. Not a sappy, I'll-wait-for-the-guy-to-rescue-me kind of girl, but the kind who can go a little weak in the knees when kissed by someone she's attracted to without losing her ability to kick ass and take names when the moment calls for it. And believe me, she does, Not that she's superwoman and doesn't have any faults, because she does - the number one being that she tends to push people away from her, especially when they get too close.

Which brings us to Mo and Wyn. Sigh. Mo is the cute guy from the woods who turns Grace's world upside down and reminds her that it can kind of be fun being a girl. He's good-looking, mysterious, and tends to keep secrets - number one being what he's doing out in the woods all the time. He's there when Grace needs him, which she can only say about one other person in her life at present - Wyn. Grace and Wyn have known each other their whole lives, they have a history, and she may or may not still have feelings for her. And oh, yeah, he just might share them. But the path to happiness is never clear and this one has a fork in the road, one marked Wyn, the other marked Mo. Not a bad place to be, actually. How can she choose between them when each one gives her what she needs when she needs it?

There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that snake through it in the same deceptively calm way as the river that plays a powerful role in the story. Just when you think you have it figured it out, you will be proven wrong. It kept me guessing all the way to the end and even then, I was taken by surprise. I won't spoil it here, but let's just say, it sets up nicely for a sequel. Although some major questions are answered, other aren't and they will keep you wondering what will happen next long after the book is done.

Final verdict: A unique story told with skill that will appeal to anyone who enjoys mystery, adventure and a kickass heroine.


(ebook provided by author for review)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Guest Post by Suzanne Gravelle, author of Unfinished

I remember when the feelings of fear and doubt took over my soul and my life. I remembering thinking, “Is this feeling ever going away?” Weeks turned into months and then turned into years, I was afraid it would be a part of my life forever.

A devastating heartbreak compounded the fear I was already unable to explain to myself or anyone, during that time I fell so far into a black place I didn’t think I would ever feel “normal” again. I couldn’t think, eat, sleep, work or focus on a conversation that did not revolve around my sorrow. My feelings and behaviour became embarrassing for me.

I eventually had a moment of clarity and made a decision that I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and made a decision to change. In order to do that I had to get away from all interruptions in my thoughts and the influences that continued to focus on my despair. I needed to be alone to focus on me because I was no good to anyone in this debilitating state. So I sold my home, kissed those I loved good bye and drove away telling them I would come back when I figured things out, when I got better.

I have no partner to confide in, I have been a single parent raising my 3 children alone for the most part of 30 years, very little has phased me. Being a woman and being alone driving for 17 months, over 60,000 km, I have been afraid many times mostly about where I am going and what will I do when I get there. I was never afraid of being alone, alone is what I needed to be to find the answers. How could a woman who used to take care of everyone and everything suddenly became full of so much self-doubt, fear and self-loathing just want to go to sleep forever, but sleeping was not a part of me either.

Along this self-imposed exile journey I have been able to speak only to myself and really listen to the answers. I have been able to make sense of why I fell to the floor and why the heartbreak was the catalyst for the crash of my soul.

I have written about my journey and the experiences I had along the many roads I have travelled. It continues to be the most enlightening experience of my life. I have met so many people who suffer from their own fears and self-doubts. They all say they wish they could pack it all in and start again but because of obligations it is impossible and they feel defeated most days by their fears and self doubt.

Hearing the details about my journey has inspired many people to rethink their own life, make positive changes and to set positive goals. I tell them, “Never take your eyes off the goal.”

For more information about Unfinished by Suzanne Gravelle, visit http://www.amazon.com/Unfinished-Suzanne-Gravelle/dp/192700506X and you can follow her journey on her blog – http://ontourwithsuzanne.blogspot.com.










For more information about Unfinished by Suzanne Gravelle, visit http://www.amazon.com/Unfinished-Suzanne-Gravelle/dp/192700506X and you can follow her journey on her blog – http://ontourwithsuzanne.blogspot.com.


About Unfinished


This is a true story of a woman who experienced such a profound awakening that she could no longer live the same way, the same life she was just one week before. She could no longer ignore the woman who was screaming to be set free from the ties that bind her to a life she no longer desired or recognized. The transformation to become the woman she really wanted to be has propelled her upon the most remarkable self-discovery journey of her life. She sold her home, gave up her career, kissed her children, grandchildren and friend’s good bye, got into her vehicle and just drove away…ALONE. Where was she going? 30,000km later she finds herself in the most unlikely place to try to piece her life together, trying to make sense of the constant feeling of being UNFINISHED. (To order your copy – http://www.amazon.com/Unfinished-Suzanne-Gravelle/dp/192700506X)


About Suzanne Gravelle

Suzanne Gravelle is 49 Years old and has 3 children, 2 grandchildren who live in Nova Scotia. At the time this book goes to print she is single and homeless by choice, still travelling, seeking that place of comfort she will eventually call home.

She spent most of her life living in Nova Scotia but her formidable years aged 10-25, were spent living on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. She resigned as a Real Estate Agent in Nova Scotia, to embark upon this most incredible journey, driving, exploring Canada and writing this book. To read Suzanne’s extended bio, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2011/11/10/suzanne-gravelle-bio/

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Ginger Simpson's "Dishin' It Out": Welcome Margay Leah Justice

Ginger Simpson's "Dishin' It Out": Welcome Margay Leah Justice: It’s Not the Holiday, It’s How You Celebrate It By Margay Leah Justice This time of year as we celebrate ...

Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop



Hello, all! I am participating in a really fun event this year called the Mistletoe Madness Blog Hop. Along with a bunch of other fantastic authors, I am part of hop full of giveaways that include the grand prize of a Nook color preloaded with books from the sponsor authors and many more - including me! Yes, Sloane Wolf is on the Nook, but you can also win a copy here! That's right, one lucky commenter on my blog will win their own e-copy of Sloane Wolf! So get to those comments and have fun hopping! Happy Holidays!


How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment with a way to contact you.

Extra entries:

1. Follow my blog
2. Follow me on Twitter (@Margay)
3. Follow me on Networked Blogs

Simple, right? Leave a separate comment for each, thanks!





Sunday, December 11, 2011

Thankful for the Holidays Blog Hop

Hello, everyone! I am participating in the Thankful for the Holidays blog hop, sponsored by Reviews by Molly and Romancing the Book. What's it all about, you wonder. Details of the hop can be found here. In the spirit of the season, I am giving away two e-copies of my latest release, Sloane Wolf. You can enter on the form below. Have fun hopping!


Thankful for the Holidays Blog Hop button (2).png






Details:  http://www.reviewsbymolly.com/p/2011-thankful-for-holidays-blog-hop.html

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Sparkling Review's Falalala Giveaway

Sparkling Reviews is hosting a fantastic giveaway.

UPDATE!! the prize for December 15 is:



and:



Kindle Fire!



UPDATE!! Prize for December 13 is:




UPDATE!! Today's prize is a Panasonic 31 Toughbook!





Today's prize is a Toshiba Thrive Tablet and there are so many more! Check out all the details here:


http://www.sparklingreviews.com/2011/12/falalala-giveaway-toshiba-thrive-tablet.html

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Give Back and Win a Kindle Fire at Paperback Dolls



The title kind of says it all, doesn't it? This is a great contest where you can help give toys for tots and maybe win a special one for yourself! Who wouldn't want that? Go here to enter.