Saturday, November 29, 2014

The Leftovers

"What if — whoosh, right now, with no explanation — a number of us simply vanished? Would some of us collapse? Would others of us go on, one foot in front of the other, as we did before the world turned upside down? That's what the bewildered citizens of Mapleton, who lost many of their neighbors, friends and lovers in the event known as the Sudden Departure, have to figure out. Because nothing has been the same since it happened — not marriages, not friendships, not even the relationships between parents and children." 

What a interesting topic, right? The concept is compelling. What would happen to the people "left behind?" What would their lives be like? Would things go back to normal or would a significant shift occur? Would civilization go crazy or would people  push on and try to forget that they didn't "make the cut" in the Rapture? 
 
The story is unique and I enjoyed the book on a certain level, but  The Leftovers fell flat for me in a few ways.

I wanted to see how scientists were explaining what happened. I wanted more from the religious side. I didn't necessarily want EVERYTHING explained away, but I wanted to SEE people curious and inquiring a bit more. I mean with so many of the world's population just up and vanishing, you'd imagine that there would be more investigating and whatnot. I didn't expect the whole book to be about that, but a chapter at best, would have sufficed. 


 I had a hard time "liking" many characters. I understand that most of the characters were damaged or in mourning for their past, but it's a hard task finding one character that isn't sort of a douchebag in some way. 

Yes some characters, like Kevin, Jill, and Nora, aren't as bad as others. But the rest are kind of scuzzy. Laurie abandons her family. Aimee is..well Aimee probably was supposed to be a sympathetic character in a way, but I just didn't like her. Tom is decent, but again, he abandoned his family in exchange for a cult leader (What's up with the cults in this book?). 

I mean logically I understand that people need solace in times of crisis and they will seek out whatever makes them feel whole again, but The Guilty Remnant and the cult of "whatshisname that likes to hug and sleep with teenage girls" just didn't make any sense to me.  (Maybe that's the point?) 

Anyway, as much as I seem to have hated it, I didn't.  I can't say it was my favorite or that I would re-read it ever, but it wasn't a horrible read. Definitely a unique take on the "end of days" theme. 

 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Blamed by Edie Harris





Born into a long line of spies, sanctioned killers and covert weapons developers, Beth Faraday carried out her first hit-for-hire when she was still a teenager.

That part of her life—the American spy royalty part—ended one year ago, with a job gone wrong in Afghanistan. The collateral damage she caused with a single shot was unfathomable and, for Beth, unforgiveable. She’s worked hard to build a new life for herself, far away from the family business. But someone, somewhere, hasn’t forgotten what Beth did in Kabul. And they want revenge.

As the Faraday clan bands together to defend Beth and protect their legacy, Beth is forced to flee her new home with the unlikeliest of allies—MI6 agent Raleigh Vick, the only man she’s ever loved. And the one she thought she’d killed in the desert.

Buy the book:





 My Review: 

Alright ya'll, this one was a BIG winner for me! I mean it has pretty much everything that makes a book sizzle! Bad ass chicks, bad ass dudes, action, adventure, some hot romance, and a ridiculously good plot! It seriously pained me to put this one down!

I really thought the storytelling was unique. It's dead sexy without being so smutty you have to hide what you are reading. The action is like reading a movie (if that makes sense?) I simply could not stop (repeating myself I know!) it was just THAT absolutely good. 



Edie Harris knows how to mix genres so very well! Her writing is very solid. Her characters (especially Beth) are all dynamic and never fall flat. Her world building is tight and drew me into Beth and Vick's world completely! 


I was thoroughly pleased by this book! 








Edie Harris studied English and Creative Writing at the University of Iowa and Grinnell College. She fills her days with writing and editing contract proposals, but her nights belong to the world of romance fiction. Edie lives and works in Chicago and is represented by Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency.

Her latest book is the romantic suspense/espionage, Blamed.

Find Out More about Edie: 

 Giveaway:

Edie is giving away one digital copy of Blamed (formats available: PDF & ePub), ‘I Only Kiss Spies’ t-shirt, ‘Lincoln Park After Dark’ OPI nail polish and one bag of Van Houtte ‘Belgian Chocolate’ ground coffee!•


 Terms & Conditions: • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old. • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter. • This giveaway begins October 19 and ends December 22. • Winner will be contacted via email on Tuesday, December 23. • Winner has 48 hours to reply. Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!