August 31, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (8/31)

Hey!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
*Thanks Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button

Here's what I'm waiting on this week:

Dreaming Awake (Falling Under #2)
by Gwen Hayes

Release date: January 3rd 2012
by NAL Trade
Paperback, 336 pages

Goodreads blurb:  

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start… 

Oh my! January is so far away! I just read Falling Under a couple of weeks ago and I ADORED it! I devoured it - seriously, I read it in one sitting! It's one of my favorite 2011 debut novels and I'm DYING to read the sequel! I'm looking forward to seeing more of Haden and Theia and their relationship. Especially after the roller coaster that was the first book in the series and after that killer ending. And I can't wait to see how Theia deals with all the changes and her new life in Serendipity Falls.
Bottom line, I NEED this books like, yesterday. Oh, and I love the cover (though I like the Falling Under cover better). I'm sure it looks even better in person!

Now, if someone could convince our awesome publishers to publish this fantabulous series in Romania as well, it would make my year. And yours, for that matter.:))  One can only hope...

xoxo
Deea's Signature

Waiting on Wednesday (8/31)

Hey!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
*Thanks Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button

Here's what I'm waiting on this week:

Dreaming Awake (Falling Under #2)
by Gwen Hayes

Release date: January 3rd 2012
by NAL Trade
Paperback, 336 pages

Goodreads blurb:  

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start… 

Oh my! January is so far away! I just read Falling Under a couple of weeks ago and I ADORED it! I devoured it - seriously, I read it in one sitting! It's one of my favorite 2011 debut novels and I'm DYING to read the sequel! I'm looking forward to seeing more of Haden and Theia and their relationship. Especially after the roller coaster that was the first book in the series and after that killer ending. And I can't wait to see how Theia deals with all the changes and her new life in Serendipity Falls.
Bottom line, I NEED this books like, yesterday. Oh, and I love the cover (though I like the Falling Under cover better). I'm sure it looks even better in person!

Now, if someone could convince our awesome publishers to publish this fantabulous series in Romania as well, it would make my year. And yours, for that matter.:))  One can only hope...

xoxo
Deea's Signature

August 30, 2011

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore - the first 7 chapters

Hey guys!

If you'd like to get a sneak peek from The Power of Six, the sequel to I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, now you can read the first seven chapters on HarperCollins Publishers' website! Check it out!


Hardcover, 406 pages
 Published August 23rd 2011 by HarperCollins

Goodreads blurb:

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.

xoxo
Deea's Signature

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore - the first 7 chapters

Hey guys!

If you'd like to get a sneak peek from The Power of Six, the sequel to I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, now you can read the first seven chapters on HarperCollins Publishers' website! Check it out!


Hardcover, 406 pages
 Published August 23rd 2011 by HarperCollins

Goodreads blurb:

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

And I'm ready to fight.

xoxo
Deea's Signature

August 29, 2011

Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Hello everyone!

I'm so sorry for being MIA! Wow, I've never been away from the blogosphere for so long! Not even when I had my final exams or my graduation!*sobs* And I really missed it... Anyway, I'm not going to bore you with my melodrama now... But you know how it is: life happens. I didn't even have an Internet connection until recently. So here's me trying get back on track... Again. *sigh*

***

I got the chance to read a few awesome debut novels in the past few weeks and I'll try to post my reviews for most of them asap. I'm going to start with Fury, because it comes out tomorrow and I want to encourage you to pick it up!:)

Fury (The Fury Trilogy #1)
by Elizabeth Miles


Pub.: August 30th 2011 
by Simon Pulse
Hardcover, 352 pages
Excerpt / Book DepositoryAmazon


Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Wow! This book was so not what I expected it to be! It was … different. Creepy. Confusing. Twisted. Unpredictable. Imaginative. Mesmerizing. Funny. Insightful. Profound. Realistic. Suspenseful. Dark. Edgy. Heartbreaking.  Yet… Beautiful and very interesting. In one word, unputdownable!:)

I must confess that I wasn’t impressed with the beginning of the book – in fact, I found it a bit boring, with all the usual high school drama going on. But then the Furies came into the picture and suddenly everything became more interesting, twisted and oh, so deliciously creepy! If I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning, by the end I was completely compelled by it, holding my breath and gripping the edges of my seat because of all the tension and suspense it got!

The story is told in 3rd person, alternatively from Em’s (Emily) and Chase’s POV. They are just some teenagers who try to get through high school and over all the drama surrounding them. All they want is to blend in and to be happy for a change.  But in trying to do so, they make bad decisions and hurt people they care about – and the Furies are right there, watching, and not a bit pleased with what’s going on. And of course they can’t just let things go, because Em and Chase have to pay for their mistakes and for the pain they have caused. And that’s when the story becomes a scary, nightmarish roller coaster.

Though very mysterious and beautiful in their ethereal forms, the Furies are dangerous, cruel and they love playing maddening games in the name of justice – apparently, they have a reason for all the creepy things they're doing. And you never know what to expect from them. You never know where they are going to be next. What are they going to do. Who is going to die next. What’s the reason for their twisted actions (or if there is any reason at all or they are just doing it all for fun). What’s their purpose. What's behind that beautiful, seductive smile. But for now, Em and Chase are their playthings, and though they are in constant danger and all kind of crazy things happen around them, nobody believes them. Because they don’t even know for sure what’s going on. Not that anyone could actually help them or stop the Furies, once they’ve been marked by them. But it’s too late anyway. There’s no escaping from the destiny the Furies have prepared for them. Because sometimes, being sorry is not enough. Although... Maybe true love can change something in the end. If so, what's the price?

All things considered,  the end was totally unexpected. Not a big cliffhanger, but still crazy. It left important questions unanswered and it made me way too impatient for the next book. I love Elizabeth Miles' writing style, it’s very imaginative and engaging, so I will definitely pick up the next books in the series and recommend them to everyone who wants to read a fresh, delicious, creepy YA series!:) Also, I LOVE the US cover!


Here's the UK trailer:




*Review based on the e-galley of the book I received from Simon and Schuster via their GalleyGrab program! Thank you guys!:)

xoxo
Deea's Signature

Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Hello everyone!

I'm so sorry for being MIA! Wow, I've never been away from the blogosphere for so long! Not even when I had my final exams or my graduation!*sobs* And I really missed it... Anyway, I'm not going to bore you with my melodrama now... But you know how it is: life happens. I didn't even have an Internet connection until recently. So here's me trying get back on track... Again. *sigh*

***

I got the chance to read a few awesome debut novels in the past few weeks and I'll try to post my reviews for most of them asap. I'm going to start with Fury, because it comes out tomorrow and I want to encourage you to pick it up!:)

Fury (The Fury Trilogy #1)
by Elizabeth Miles


Pub.: August 30th 2011 
by Simon Pulse
Hardcover, 352 pages
Excerpt / Book DepositoryAmazon


Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Wow! This book was so not what I expected it to be! It was … different. Creepy. Confusing. Twisted. Unpredictable. Imaginative. Mesmerizing. Funny. Insightful. Profound. Realistic. Suspenseful. Dark. Edgy. Heartbreaking.  Yet… Beautiful and very interesting. In one word, unputdownable!:)

I must confess that I wasn’t impressed with the beginning of the book – in fact, I found it a bit boring, with all the usual high school drama going on. But then the Furies came into the picture and suddenly everything became more interesting, twisted and oh, so deliciously creepy! If I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning, by the end I was completely compelled by it, holding my breath and gripping the edges of my seat because of all the tension and suspense it got!

The story is told in 3rd person, alternatively from Em’s (Emily) and Chase’s POV. They are just some teenagers who try to get through high school and over all the drama surrounding them. All they want is to blend in and to be happy for a change.  But in trying to do so, they make bad decisions and hurt people they care about – and the Furies are right there, watching, and not a bit pleased with what’s going on. And of course they can’t just let things go, because Em and Chase have to pay for their mistakes and for the pain they have caused. And that’s when the story becomes a scary, nightmarish roller coaster.

Though very mysterious and beautiful in their ethereal forms, the Furies are dangerous, cruel and they love playing maddening games in the name of justice – apparently, they have a reason for all the creepy things they're doing. And you never know what to expect from them. You never know where they are going to be next. What are they going to do. Who is going to die next. What’s the reason for their twisted actions (or if there is any reason at all or they are just doing it all for fun). What’s their purpose. What's behind that beautiful, seductive smile. But for now, Em and Chase are their playthings, and though they are in constant danger and all kind of crazy things happen around them, nobody believes them. Because they don’t even know for sure what’s going on. Not that anyone could actually help them or stop the Furies, once they’ve been marked by them. But it’s too late anyway. There’s no escaping from the destiny the Furies have prepared for them. Because sometimes, being sorry is not enough. Although... Maybe true love can change something in the end. If so, what's the price?

All things considered,  the end was totally unexpected. Not a big cliffhanger, but still crazy. It left important questions unanswered and it made me way too impatient for the next book. I love Elizabeth Miles' writing style, it’s very imaginative and engaging, so I will definitely pick up the next books in the series and recommend them to everyone who wants to read a fresh, delicious, creepy YA series!:) Also, I LOVE the US cover!


Here's the UK trailer:




*Review based on the e-galley of the book I received from Simon and Schuster via their GalleyGrab program! Thank you guys!:)

xoxo
Deea's Signature

August 4, 2011

Spotted: A Perfect Blood (The Hollows #10) by Kim Harrison cover!!!


OMG! I'm sooo excited! You probably know by now that this is one of my all time favorites UF series so of course I'm dying to read the next installment! Knowing that we're getting closer to the end makes me a bit sad and nervous, but I can't wait to see Rachel getting her HEA!

Anyway, enough with the rambling. Here's the cover and the synopsis for book #10:

A Perfect Blood (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #10)
by Kim Harrison
Pub.: February 21st 2012

Goodreads blurb:

Ritually murdered corpses are appearing across Cincinnati, terrifying amalgams of human and other. Pulled in to help investigate by the FIB, former witch turned day-walking demon Rachel Morgan soon realizes a horrifying truth — a would-be creator is determined to make his (or her) own demons. But it can’t be done without Rachel’s blood.

As a bounty hunter, Rachel has battled vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and more. But humanity itself might be her toughest challenge.

Eeek! With or without a synopsis, I still don't know what to expect from A Perfect Blood! But hey, we're talking Kim Harrison here!:D And considering the ending of A Pale Demon (The Hollows #9), the wait till February will be torture! Oh, and I love this cover! It's so different from the others! What do you guys think?

xoxo
Deea's Signature

Spotted: A Perfect Blood (The Hollows #10) by Kim Harrison cover!!!


OMG! I'm sooo excited! You probably know by now that this is one of my all time favorites UF series so of course I'm dying to read the next installment! Knowing that we're getting closer to the end makes me a bit sad and nervous, but I can't wait to see Rachel getting her HEA!

Anyway, enough with the rambling. Here's the cover and the synopsis for book #10:

A Perfect Blood (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows #10)
by Kim Harrison
Pub.: February 21st 2012

Goodreads blurb:

Ritually murdered corpses are appearing across Cincinnati, terrifying amalgams of human and other. Pulled in to help investigate by the FIB, former witch turned day-walking demon Rachel Morgan soon realizes a horrifying truth — a would-be creator is determined to make his (or her) own demons. But it can’t be done without Rachel’s blood.

As a bounty hunter, Rachel has battled vampires, witches, werewolves, demons, and more. But humanity itself might be her toughest challenge.

Eeek! With or without a synopsis, I still don't know what to expect from A Perfect Blood! But hey, we're talking Kim Harrison here!:D And considering the ending of A Pale Demon (The Hollows #9), the wait till February will be torture! Oh, and I love this cover! It's so different from the others! What do you guys think?

xoxo
Deea's Signature

August 3, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (8/3)

Hey!


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
*Many thanks to Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button


Clearly, I have no cure. No matter how many books I have in my TBR pile and how often I say I won't read any more debut novels for a while and read some of my 'older' books instead (because if I don't read them now, during the summer, they'll just sit there, on the shelves, untouched, forever), I'm still wishing for more and getting all excited every time I hear about a new one. So here a few debut novels I've heard so many amazing things about ever since BEA and I'm dying to read!

Shatter Me
by Tahereh Mafi
Pub.: November 15th 2011 by HarperTeen

Goodreads description:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

***

 Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna Dressed in Blood #1)
by Kendare Blake
Pub: August 30th 2011 by Tor Teen

Goodreads description:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

***

Shattered Souls
by Mary Lindsey
Pub.: December 8th 2011 by Philomel/Penguin

Goodreads description:


A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

So... all these sound sooo good and refreshing! I love the covers too, there's something fierce and special about them! Can't wait to get my hands on the hardcovers!<3

What are you waiting on?
xoxo
Deea's Signature

Waiting on Wednesday (8/3)

Hey!


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
*Many thanks to Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button


Clearly, I have no cure. No matter how many books I have in my TBR pile and how often I say I won't read any more debut novels for a while and read some of my 'older' books instead (because if I don't read them now, during the summer, they'll just sit there, on the shelves, untouched, forever), I'm still wishing for more and getting all excited every time I hear about a new one. So here a few debut novels I've heard so many amazing things about ever since BEA and I'm dying to read!

Shatter Me
by Tahereh Mafi
Pub.: November 15th 2011 by HarperTeen

Goodreads description:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

***

 Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna Dressed in Blood #1)
by Kendare Blake
Pub: August 30th 2011 by Tor Teen

Goodreads description:

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

***

Shattered Souls
by Mary Lindsey
Pub.: December 8th 2011 by Philomel/Penguin

Goodreads description:


A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

So... all these sound sooo good and refreshing! I love the covers too, there's something fierce and special about them! Can't wait to get my hands on the hardcovers!<3

What are you waiting on?
xoxo
Deea's Signature

August 2, 2011

Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) 
by Darynda Jones


Goodreads blurb:
Pub: February 1st 2011, St. Martin's Press


A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

My thoughts:
*Spoiler free

This review took me a long time to write, because I LOVED this book so much and I wanted to tell you so many things about it, that I didn’t even know where to start. I didn’t want to let anything out either (I had a 3-4 pages long review and it didn’t even include my favorite quotes).  And I still believe this post doesn’t make it justice. Anyway, I’m warning you: this is going to be a long one and it comes with a lot of squealing, gushing, swooning and fangirly moments.

Because you have to read First Grave on the Right! You have to see how brilliant and original and hilarious Darynda’s writing style is! You have to swoon over Reyes! And, of course, you have to meet Charley. She’s one of the most like-able main characters I have met in a very long time! She’s a part time PI, an Albuquerque Police Department consultant who helps her uncle solve murders and a full time grim reaper - actually, the grip reaper – who helps dead people cross over into the light. But she’s not your usual dark, scary and umm… grim reaper – she’s a sexy, chic, smart, sassy girl with a big heart – and great sarcastic lines. It’s impossible not to love her! She’s also caring, brave, tenacious and always determined. So when three lawyers end up dead and show up on Charley’s door step, asking for her help to solve their murders, she doesn’t hesitate one bit and gets dragged right into a mysterious, suspenseful and even dangerous story. This case is more complicated and scary than any other case she’d worked on, but she solved it just fine - with a little help from the outside. And as of all the creepy situations, twists, turns and questions that come with this case weren’t enough, she needs to solve Reyes’ enigma too - a smoking hot entity (literally!) who shows up in her dreams and sometimes in her real life too, whenever she’s in danger. There’s something dark, mysterious, intriguing and passionate about him. He also seems familiar and Charley has to find out when did she meet him, under what circumstances and what does he want from her.

So… Reyes. *dreamy sigh* He’s tall, dark and handsome, but that’s where all the similarities with any other male character I’ve ever met end. For a long time, I didn’t even know what he was (and I shouldn’t have known, but I stumbled upon some spoilers). He’s something special, enigmatic, unnaturally hot and oh, such a tease! Just when you think you can finally learn something about him and his reasons, he disappears. Yup, he comes and goes without warning, just like a touch of hot smoke. *melts* He has a wicked sense of humor and some killer one-liners! You see, he didn’t even have to do something major to win me over. All he had to do was to show up in the right place, at the right time and to do/say the right thing and I was lost - very much like Charley. Because “Reyes aka God of Fantasies and All Things Sensual” is a swoon-worthy Alpha male, but not in a super-strong-with-super-powers-who-kills-everything-and-everyone-just-for-daring-to-look-at-him-and-who-likes-to-slam-you-into-a-wall-and-do-all-kind-of-wicked-things kind of way, but in a literally-hot-and-stunningly-beautiful-who-makes-your-heart-race-and-your-knees-buckle-just-with-a-touch-and-a-whisper kind of way. Not that he minds the wall thing.* And he does have that possessive, jealous behavior and the unconditional love for the main character that comes with the Alpha male attitude. “Because perfection is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.”  
"The shadow moved, disintegrated, disappeared, and reappeared before me in the same instant. Then it was my turn to retreat. I stumbled back as a long tendril of smoke raised, and suddenly an arm was braced against the wall beside my head. [...] His mouth brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “Dutch,” he whispered, and I melted into him. [...] Then his mouth covered mine and I lost all sense of reality. My world took his form, became his body, his mouth, his hands, skimming over me, surveying the hills and valleys of all that was me, his moon. His very own satellite seduced into his orbit by the sheer will of his gravity." 
*fans self* Where was I? Oh, right. Trying to write a review and make people read this book. So First Grave on the Right is a very complex novel, beautifully written and with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end – and then some.  Not only is this a good story with awesome characters and interesting plot, but it also has a perfect dose of humor, suspense, action, mystery, romance, supernatural elements, great world building and well developed characters. Because the side characters are just as like-able and interesting as the main characters: there’s Cookie, the cool, funny and caring best friend who has an adorable daughter (believe me, anyone would love to have a bff like her); the uncle who is much more of a father to Charley than her own father and who knows many things about her and tries his best to protect her; even the dead people in this story have a nice part into the plot and the amazing dialogues! And then there’s Garrett. I have to admit that I paid him very little attention when I first read the book, because I was too astonished, bewildered and absorbed by Reyes’ presence to notice anyone else. J) But when I re-read the book I realized I actually liked the guy. He’s obviously handsome, smart, funny, yet stubborn and reluctant to believe anything about Charley’s “gift”. But at least he’s trying to get into her good graces. Besides, their banter is absolutely hilarious!
"After a long pause in which he took the time to blink several times, he asked, "You named your breasts?" I turned my back to him with a shrug. "I named my ovaries, too, but they don't get out as much." 
Anyway, the point is that Ms. Jones is a genius and she succeeded in blending in all the elements and the details necessary for a perfect read! 

On a side note, if you are a TV shows addict too, imagine something where Ghost Whisperer meets Castle and then add a healthy dose of humor, a bit of scorching romance and some cool, fascinating paranormal aspects. Sounds good IMO!:D

I read this book a few months ago (if you follow me on Facebook/Twitter, I guess you know that it was my Book of the Month back in February) and I still can remember how fantastic it is and even some of the details, but I just had to re-read it. And I fell in love with the characters and the writing style all over again – actually, I think I enjoyed it even more now than I did the first time I read it, because this time around I wasn’t in any hurry to get to the end and get my answers and the suspense wasn't killing me anymore. I just enjoyed the ride – and oh my, what a ride it was!<3 This is definitely my favorite debut novel of the year!

Now, if you like urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, chick lit with a touch of paranormal… Actually, scratch all that. No matter what genre do you like to read, you will love this book. I promise! Are you intrigued already? Go buy two copies ASAP – one for you, one for your best friend! You can thank me later! ;)

BTW, the second book in the series, Second Grave on the Right comes out on August 16th. (I'll probably get it in a month or so too). Do I even need to mention how jealous I am of the people who got the chance to read the ARC already? *cries cussing this part of the middle of nowhere where I live because the best books always take too long to get here* *takes a deep breath* Ok, I'm calm now. Besides, there's always audible.com. Speaking of which, if you are into audibooks, I strongly recommend the audio version of this series. It is narrated by Lorelei King and she did an amazing job reading it! You can listen to a sample on Darynda's site. 

And because this was an EPIC read and I LOVE everything about and I couldn't find absolutely NOTHING to complain about it and it also goes on my All-time-favorites shelf, it deserves my 5 stars + 1 golden star rating!<3

EPIC! One of my favorites! A must read!

Happy reading!
xoxo
Deea's Signature

Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) 
by Darynda Jones


Goodreads blurb:
Pub: February 1st 2011, St. Martin's Press


A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

My thoughts:
*Spoiler free

This review took me a long time to write, because I LOVED this book so much and I wanted to tell you so many things about it, that I didn’t even know where to start. I didn’t want to let anything out either (I had a 3-4 pages long review and it didn’t even include my favorite quotes).  And I still believe this post doesn’t make it justice. Anyway, I’m warning you: this is going to be a long one and it comes with a lot of squealing, gushing, swooning and fangirly moments.

Because you have to read First Grave on the Right! You have to see how brilliant and original and hilarious Darynda’s writing style is! You have to swoon over Reyes! And, of course, you have to meet Charley. She’s one of the most like-able main characters I have met in a very long time! She’s a part time PI, an Albuquerque Police Department consultant who helps her uncle solve murders and a full time grim reaper - actually, the grip reaper – who helps dead people cross over into the light. But she’s not your usual dark, scary and umm… grim reaper – she’s a sexy, chic, smart, sassy girl with a big heart – and great sarcastic lines. It’s impossible not to love her! She’s also caring, brave, tenacious and always determined. So when three lawyers end up dead and show up on Charley’s door step, asking for her help to solve their murders, she doesn’t hesitate one bit and gets dragged right into a mysterious, suspenseful and even dangerous story. This case is more complicated and scary than any other case she’d worked on, but she solved it just fine - with a little help from the outside. And as of all the creepy situations, twists, turns and questions that come with this case weren’t enough, she needs to solve Reyes’ enigma too - a smoking hot entity (literally!) who shows up in her dreams and sometimes in her real life too, whenever she’s in danger. There’s something dark, mysterious, intriguing and passionate about him. He also seems familiar and Charley has to find out when did she meet him, under what circumstances and what does he want from her.

So… Reyes. *dreamy sigh* He’s tall, dark and handsome, but that’s where all the similarities with any other male character I’ve ever met end. For a long time, I didn’t even know what he was (and I shouldn’t have known, but I stumbled upon some spoilers). He’s something special, enigmatic, unnaturally hot and oh, such a tease! Just when you think you can finally learn something about him and his reasons, he disappears. Yup, he comes and goes without warning, just like a touch of hot smoke. *melts* He has a wicked sense of humor and some killer one-liners! You see, he didn’t even have to do something major to win me over. All he had to do was to show up in the right place, at the right time and to do/say the right thing and I was lost - very much like Charley. Because “Reyes aka God of Fantasies and All Things Sensual” is a swoon-worthy Alpha male, but not in a super-strong-with-super-powers-who-kills-everything-and-everyone-just-for-daring-to-look-at-him-and-who-likes-to-slam-you-into-a-wall-and-do-all-kind-of-wicked-things kind of way, but in a literally-hot-and-stunningly-beautiful-who-makes-your-heart-race-and-your-knees-buckle-just-with-a-touch-and-a-whisper kind of way. Not that he minds the wall thing.* And he does have that possessive, jealous behavior and the unconditional love for the main character that comes with the Alpha male attitude. “Because perfection is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.”  
"The shadow moved, disintegrated, disappeared, and reappeared before me in the same instant. Then it was my turn to retreat. I stumbled back as a long tendril of smoke raised, and suddenly an arm was braced against the wall beside my head. [...] His mouth brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “Dutch,” he whispered, and I melted into him. [...] Then his mouth covered mine and I lost all sense of reality. My world took his form, became his body, his mouth, his hands, skimming over me, surveying the hills and valleys of all that was me, his moon. His very own satellite seduced into his orbit by the sheer will of his gravity." 
*fans self* Where was I? Oh, right. Trying to write a review and make people read this book. So First Grave on the Right is a very complex novel, beautifully written and with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end – and then some.  Not only is this a good story with awesome characters and interesting plot, but it also has a perfect dose of humor, suspense, action, mystery, romance, supernatural elements, great world building and well developed characters. Because the side characters are just as like-able and interesting as the main characters: there’s Cookie, the cool, funny and caring best friend who has an adorable daughter (believe me, anyone would love to have a bff like her); the uncle who is much more of a father to Charley than her own father and who knows many things about her and tries his best to protect her; even the dead people in this story have a nice part into the plot and the amazing dialogues! And then there’s Garrett. I have to admit that I paid him very little attention when I first read the book, because I was too astonished, bewildered and absorbed by Reyes’ presence to notice anyone else. J) But when I re-read the book I realized I actually liked the guy. He’s obviously handsome, smart, funny, yet stubborn and reluctant to believe anything about Charley’s “gift”. But at least he’s trying to get into her good graces. Besides, their banter is absolutely hilarious!
"After a long pause in which he took the time to blink several times, he asked, "You named your breasts?" I turned my back to him with a shrug. "I named my ovaries, too, but they don't get out as much." 
Anyway, the point is that Ms. Jones is a genius and she succeeded in blending in all the elements and the details necessary for a perfect read! 

On a side note, if you are a TV shows addict too, imagine something where Ghost Whisperer meets Castle and then add a healthy dose of humor, a bit of scorching romance and some cool, fascinating paranormal aspects. Sounds good IMO!:D

I read this book a few months ago (if you follow me on Facebook/Twitter, I guess you know that it was my Book of the Month back in February) and I still can remember how fantastic it is and even some of the details, but I just had to re-read it. And I fell in love with the characters and the writing style all over again – actually, I think I enjoyed it even more now than I did the first time I read it, because this time around I wasn’t in any hurry to get to the end and get my answers and the suspense wasn't killing me anymore. I just enjoyed the ride – and oh my, what a ride it was!<3 This is definitely my favorite debut novel of the year!

Now, if you like urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, chick lit with a touch of paranormal… Actually, scratch all that. No matter what genre do you like to read, you will love this book. I promise! Are you intrigued already? Go buy two copies ASAP – one for you, one for your best friend! You can thank me later! ;)

BTW, the second book in the series, Second Grave on the Right comes out on August 16th. (I'll probably get it in a month or so too). Do I even need to mention how jealous I am of the people who got the chance to read the ARC already? *cries cussing this part of the middle of nowhere where I live because the best books always take too long to get here* *takes a deep breath* Ok, I'm calm now. Besides, there's always audible.com. Speaking of which, if you are into audibooks, I strongly recommend the audio version of this series. It is narrated by Lorelei King and she did an amazing job reading it! You can listen to a sample on Darynda's site. 

And because this was an EPIC read and I LOVE everything about and I couldn't find absolutely NOTHING to complain about it and it also goes on my All-time-favorites shelf, it deserves my 5 stars + 1 golden star rating!<3

EPIC! One of my favorites! A must read!

Happy reading!
xoxo
Deea's Signature
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