ARC Review: Death Never Sleeps by E. J. Simon

Death Never Sleeps

Author: E. J. Simon

Publication: iUniverse.com (July 19, 2013)

Description: DO THE DEAD HAVE SMARTPHONES?

The problem with Alex Nicholas is that he won't stay dead.

Alex Nicholas was the consummate Queens bookie: fast cars and even faster women, and friends in all the wrong places. As an illegal sports betting and loan shark king in New York City, Alex was fearless-until the night his luck ran out and someone leveled the silver barrel of an automatic on him and pulled the trigger.

Michael Nicholas was everything his brother Alex was not: a powerful, married straight-arrow corporate CEO living the American Dream. Their two worlds collide when Michael discovers his brother's secret laptop.

As Michael crosses the globe to find his brother's murder, can he avoid his brother's fate? And can the information contained in the laptop help Alex reach out to help Michael-from beyond the grave.

My Thoughts: Michael Nicholas's life changes immensely when his older brother Alex is killed and Michael has to settle his estate and, maybe, figure out who killed him. The brothers weren't close as adults. Alex was a bookie and loan shark while Micheal was the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Between Alex's wives - two ex and one current - and the people who owed him money, Michael has a host of suspects. Things get even more complicated when he has to deal with a mobster named Sharkey who wants the $750 thousand Alex owed him. 

As a mystery, I thought this story worked fine. I had problems with the other main focus of the book. Alex has a tricked out Mac computer with a bunch of artificial intelligence programs which let him live on after death. The programs had him learning and changing too. Once Michael finds the laptop with the programs, Alex acts as an adviser to Michael and Alex also manages to save the day in the nick of time at a few crucial plot points in the story. The whole idea of whether or not Alex had managed to defeat death was hard to understand both for Michael and this reader.

The writing in the story was competent but not very polished. It is, and reads like, a first novel. Some of the dialog is stilted and there wasn't enough character development for me. I would recommend this book to readers who are curious about the implications of artificial intelligence.

Favorite Quote:

"Here's the thing. I don't know if you know any of this already, but Alex had this obsession with living forever. He never believed in that stuff like where they froze Ted William's body."

This was an unsolicited review copy. You can buy your copy here.

Friday Memes: Death Never Sleeps by E. J. Simon

Happy Friday everybody!

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

This week I am spotlighting Death Never Sleeps by E. J. Simon. This was an unsolicited review book that sounded good. Here is the description of this July 19 release:

DO THE DEAD HAVE SMARTPHONES?

The problem with Alex Nicholas is that he won't stay dead.

Alex Nicholas was the consummate Queens bookie: fast cars and even faster women, and friends in all the wrong places. As an illegal sports betting and loan shark king in New York City, Alex was fearless-until the night his luck ran out and someone leveled the silver barrel of an automatic on him and pulled the trigger.

Michael Nicholas was everything his brother Alex was not: a powerful, married straight-arrow corporate CEO living the American Dream. Their two worlds collide when Michael discovers his brother's secret laptop.

As Michael crosses the globe to find his brother's murder, can he avoid his brother's fate? And can the information contained in the laptop help Alex reach out to help Michael-from beyond the grave.

Beginning:

Alex Nichols had often wondered what the last moments of his life would feel like.

Friday 56:

As Michael groped in the sudden darkness to find his cell, the stranger's voice let out a piercing, horrific laugh. It reverberated through the room. 

ARC Review: The Edge of Normal by Carla Norton

The Edge of Normal

Author: Carla Norton

Publication: Minotaur Books (September 10, 2013)

Description: In many ways, Reeve LeClaire looks like a typical twenty-two year old girl. She’s finally landed her own apartment, she waitresses to pay the bills, and she wishes she wasn’t so nervous around new people. She thinks of herself as agile, not skittish. As serious, not grim. But Reeve is anything but normal.

Ten years ago, she was kidnapped and held captive. After a lucky escape, she’s spent the last six years trying to rebuild her life, a recovery thanks in large part to her indispensable therapist Dr. Ezra Lerner. But when he asks her to help another girl rescued from a similar situation, Reeve realizes she may not simply need to mentor this young victim—she may be the only one who can protect her from a cunning predator who is still out there, watching every move.

From the author of the #1 non-fiction bestseller Perfect Victim: The True Story of the Girl in the Box comes a novel that draws you into a chilling and engrossing world. With powerfully gripping characters and an ending that is a masterpiece of deception, Carla Norton's The Edge of Normal is a stunning debut thriller.

My Thoughts: Reeve LeClaire has been rebuilding her life for six years. She was kidnapped as a twelve-year-old and kept captive for almost four years. During that time she was beaten, starved, tortured and sexually abused. She is still seeing the same psychiatrist that she has been seeing since she was freed. Dr. Lerner is a noted expert famous for helping people who have been held captive. When he gets a call the sends him to Northern California to help another 12-year-old who was just freed from captivity, the parents want to talk to another of his patients before trusting their daughter to him.

Reeve is startled and unsettled to be asked because she feels that she is a long way from normal. But, when she loses her part-time job, she goes to see if she can help young Tilly Cavanaugh. She doesn't follow the news or she would know that Tilly was just one of three young girls who had gone missing from the area. She soon learns the details and finds herself investigating to see if she can find out what happened to the other girls. 

The story was exciting and the sections from the mastermind who came up with the kidnapping plot were chilling. It was especially chilling when he decided to focus his attention on Reeve. 

I liked that Reeve was stronger than she thought she was and I liked that she was more determined too. I liked her tentative romance with the young deputy who worked with the prosecutor and thought it was realistically handled. 

I recommend this quick read for fans of thrillers. 

Favorite Quote:

Reeve blinks at her, then slowly raises a palm. "Yes, Tilly Cavanaugh, I do hereby solemnly swear not to tell a soul whatever you are going to tell me. On my mother's grave."

Tilly stares unflinchingly, and Reeve stares back, waiting.

Tilly swallows. "Randy Vanderholt wasn't the worst."

"What? What do you mean?""There was another man."

"Another man? You mean, another man at the house?"

I received this eARC through Minotaur Books' early reviewer program. You can buy your copy here.

Book Review: Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton

Thrown by a Curve
Author: Jaci Burton
Publication: Berkley Trade (March 5, 2013)

Description: She thinks she knows this player—but he has a few surprise moves.

For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher, Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch, a man.

Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But both their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.

Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call. 

My Thoughts: THROWN BY A CURVE is another sensual sports romance by Jaci Burton. Major League pitcher Garrett Scott has hurt his shoulder and is afraid he won't ever pitch again. This has become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy since it is causing him to blow off his rehab. When Alicia Riley, new sports therapist for the team, tells him to get his head out of his rear, he decides that he wants her in charge of his rehab. 

Of course, they are immediately attracted to each other and star in each other's sex fantasies. Alicia wants to keep things professional because she doesn't want to lose her job or her professional reputation. After Garrett gets over the grouchy and argumentative stage and after they begin living in the same house in Florida, Alicia overcomes her objections. 

As is the case of most romances, neither wants to tell the other when they realize that they have fallen in love which leads to all sorts of difficulties. I liked that both characters were strong characters and their relationship was balanced. Alicia certainly wasn't going to put up with any of Garrett's antics. I also liked getting a chance to catch up with the other Rileys from earlier books. The strong family dynamic filled with support and love is one of the things that make these romances so memorable. The dynamic also provides a contrast between the two characters with Alicia having strong family support and Garrett having a much more dysfunctional family. The strong friendships between Alicia and her gal pals and Garrett and his college buddies are also positives for this romance. 

Fans of spicy romances will enjoy this one. 

Favorite Quote:

"Women are prettier.""Oh, I don't know. I have a much finer appreciation for men than I do for women.""Good to know."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Edge of Normal by Carla Norton

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teaser comes from The Edge of Normal by Carla Norton. I got this eARC through Minotaur Books early reviewer program. This thriller will be released on September 10. Here is the description:

In many ways, Reeve LeClaire looks like a typical twenty-two year old girl. She’s finally landed her own apartment, she waitresses to pay the bills, and she wishes she wasn’t so nervous around new people. She thinks of herself as agile, not skittish. As serious, not grim. But Reeve is anything but normal.

Ten years ago, she was kidnapped and held captive. After a lucky escape, she’s spent the last six years trying to rebuild her life, a recovery thanks in large part to her indispensable therapist Dr. Ezra Lerner. But when he asks her to help another girl rescued from a similar situation, Reeve realizes she may not simply need to mentor this young victim—she may be the only one who can protect her from a cunning predator who is still out there, watching every move.

From the author of the #1 non-fiction bestseller Perfect Victim: The True Story of the Girl in the Box comes a novel that draws you into a chilling and engrossing world. With powerfully gripping characters and an ending that is a masterpiece of deception, Carla Norton's The Edge of Normal is a stunning debut thriller.

Teaser:

She is no longer "Edgie Reggie," the feral girl who responded to media attention by whacking down cameras. She now thinks of herself as agile, not skittish. As serious, not grim. She has transformed into a composed young woman who is living a pleasant, structured life. She even has a job. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (September 2, 2013)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

On the personal front: The past week was filled with very long work days and extreme heat. I got home from work drained every day but have been able to catch up on energy and sleep the last couple of days. 

I think I am almost ready for my first classes to walk in on Tuesday morning. The things that aren't done are things I have no control over, i.e. did the school renew Accelerated Reader?, what password did the Tech guy use when setting up the 5th grade accounts? I need both answers before my first class comes in.

Last Week:

Death Never Sleeps by E. J. Simon was an unsolicited review book. It was a pretty good mystery but I didn't think the artificial intelligence plot worked very well. My review will be posted on September 7.

Deception Cove by Jayne Anne Krentz was a futuristic romance in the Rainshadow series. I love this author's work and know I can always count on an entertaining and satisfying romance. My review will be posted on October 9 but you can see what I think on Amazon, GoodReads, and LibraryThing now. 

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voight was a book I picked up for review at ALA. It was historical fiction and tells the story of a young boy who has to survive after his parents disappear. Max solves problems for a variety of people but the larger mystery of what happened to his parents will have to wait for book 2 or book 3 in this middle grade series. My review will be posted on September 7.

Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts was an ARC I got from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. It follows three teenagers as the wait out the last week before a giant asteroid crashes into the Earth. My review will be posted on September 12.

She Can Scream by Melinda Leigh was one of my recent Amazon Vine picks. I enjoyed this romantic suspense title. My review will be posted on September 12.

Currently:

Next up on my stack is The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason. I got this ARC at ALA. I actually went looking for it because I had seen so many good reviews.

Next Week:

I got The Impersonator by Mary Miley through Minotaur Books' early reviewer program. It is a historical mystery which will be released on September 17.

I also recently got Omens by Kelley Armstrong and am eager to read this first book in a new series.

My two YA picks for the week are both ARCs I got at ALA. Each will be released on September 24. The Wolf Princess is by Cathryn Constable and Steelheart is by Brandon Sanderson.

What do you have planned for the coming week?

Stacking the Shelves (Sept. 1, 2013)

Tynga of Team Tynga's Reviews has a meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Visit her site to check out the linky and see what everyone gets. I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow.

I added lots of adult books to my stack this week.

Kindle Books

I bought Lillian Holmes and the Leaping Man by Ciar Cullen when I saw it in Burroughs' newsletter. The cover and the summary hooked me. 

Scrimmage Gone South by Alicia Hunter Pace was a Kindle Daily Deal that sounded good. 

Print Books

Grand Forks by Marilyn Hagerty was discussed in a newsletter I get from Amazon. The intro is by Anthony Bourdain. I was also intrigued because I have been to Grand Forks but have never eaten there. 

Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson is the third book in her Sentinels of New Orleans series. I have enjoyed the rest and was glad to get this copy from Amazon Marketplace.

Kindle Books

I got Omens by Kelley Armstrong for my Kindle. I like everything she has written an am eager to dive into her new series.

Killing Time by Cindy Gerard was a Kindle Daily Deal. I liked other books by her and thought this one sounded good too.

One of Each

Rock Point by Carla Neggers was a novella in her Sharpe & Donovan series that is free for the Kindle. I have one of the Sharpe & Donovan novels on my review stack and thought this might useful.

Deception Cove by Jayne Castle is the most recent in her futuristic romance series. This was was entertaining and a quick read. I automatically buy everything this author writes.

Review Books:

I have now received two copies of The Russian Endgame by Allan Topol and was offered a third yesterday. This thriller is the third in the Craig Page series. It will be released on September 10.

She Can Scream by Melinda Leigh was one of my Amazon Vine picks this month. I like this author and I have read other books in this romantic suspense series. This book will be released on September 17.

I was also offered a review copy of The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane as part of a blog tour. This thriller will be released on September 24 but my review is set for Oct. 15.

The Curse Keepers by Denise Grover Swank was my second Amazon Vine pick this month. I thought this paranormal sounded interesting. It will be released on Nov. 19.

What did you get this week?