Friday Memes: Who Needs Enemies by Keri Arthur

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 another book from my TBR mountain. I chose Who Needs Enemies by Keri Arthur. I have read a number of books by this author and enjoyed them. This one begins a new series. Here is the description:

Harriet Phillecky is a rare part elf, part siren and wanted by neither race. Not that she really cares. A successful news photographer turned paranormal investigator, she now has a 'family' of friends that includes ogres who constantly raid her refrigerator and take over her TV, and a dragon who drinks far too much for his own good.

But when the only elvan relative she has any contact with asks her to investigate the disappearance of a siren, she finds herself unable to refuse.

All too quickly the disappearance becomes murder, relatives come out of the woodwork, and a man she'd much rather forget steps back into her life. Harri wants nothing more than to run—especially when the evidence beats a path to the doors of those who'd long ago abandoned her. But when the life she's created for herself comes under threat, Harri has little choice but to hunt down a killer—before everything she holds dear is destroyed.

Beginning:

The sense of trouble slipped across my skin like a teasing caress, making the hairs on my arms stand on end and my heart race.

Friday 56:

And that was his first lie—a thought confirmed by the sudden evasiveness of his sapphire gaze. I glanced thoughtfully at Maggie, who was as lovely a person as you could ever get, but who couldn't keep a secret to save a life. Whatever had gotten Lyle beaten up, he wasn't about to mention it with her in the room. 

YA ARC Review: The Taking by Kimberly Derting

The Taking
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: Taking
Publication: HarperTeen (April 29, 2014)

Description: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer meets The Fifth Wave in this chilling and explosive new series from author Kimberly Derting.

The last thing Kyra Agnew remembers is a flash of bright light. She awakes to discover that five whole years have passed. Everyone in her life has moved on—her parents divorced, her boyfriend is in college and dating her best friend—but Kyra's still the sixteen-year-old she was when she vanished. She finds herself drawn to Tyler, her boyfriend's kid brother, despite her best efforts to ignore her growing attraction. In order to find out the truth, the two of them decide to retrace her steps from that fateful night. They discover there are others who have been "taken," just like Kyra. Only, Kyra is the first person to have been returned past the forty-eight-hour taken mark. With a determined, secret government agency after her, Kyra desperately tries to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had . . . but what if the life she wants back is not her own?

My Thoughts: THE TAKING was an amazing beginning to a new science fiction series. Star softball player Kyra Agnew remembers a bright light and then nothing until she wakes up behind a convenience store on day. She has been gone five years but only one night has passed for her. She returns to a very different world than she left.

Her parents have divorced. Her mom has remarried and had another child. Her dad has become a conspiracy theory nut who is convinced that Kyra was abducted by aliens. Her boyfriend and best friend have moved on to college and fallen in love. Nothing is the same for Kyra.

Her boyfriend's younger brother Tyler has caught up in age and become quite a "hottie." Kyra first has trouble seeing him as a serious romantic interest but his sincerity, kindness, and persistence finally convince Kyra that he is someone she can trust.

She is quite sure that she can't trust Agent Truman who says he is from the NSA and she has real doubts about the boy who keeps popping up in places where she goes. When the NSA tries to capture her, it is that boy - Simon - who tells her about the others like her and who tries to help her.

The story was very fast-paced. I couldn't put it down! I was as eager as Kyra to find out more about her and to try to find out what had happened to her. I loved her relationship with Tyler and had tears in my eyes at the very thrilling climax.

I hope the next book comes out really, really soon. I need to know what happens next!

Favorite Quote:

That was it. He undid me with those words.

It would have been better if he'd said nothing at all, because I could live with nothing. Love...well, love was another matter altogether.

Love required sacrifice and making hard choices and doing things that were bigger than just you.

It wasn't something you asked for, or could control or change. It was something you accepted.

Love was a force of nature.

I got this eARC from Edelweiss. You can buy your copy here.

Teaser Tuesday: The Taking by Kimberly Derting (YA)

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

• 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!

Teaser:

I was still getting up, brushing away bits of rocks and gravel from my uniform where I'd landed and from my hands, which had taken the brunt of the skidding part of my fall, when everyone around me went white.

White, like blinding white.

My teaser this week comes  from The Taking by Kimberly Derting. I got this eARC from Edelweiss for review. Here is the description of this April 29 release:

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer meets The Fifth Wave in this chilling and explosive new series from author Kimberly Derting.

The last thing Kyra Agnew remembers is a flash of bright light. She awakes to discover that five whole years have passed. Everyone in her life has moved on—her parents divorced, her boyfriend is in college and dating her best friend—but Kyra's still the sixteen-year-old she was when she vanished. She finds herself drawn to Tyler, her boyfriend's kid brother, despite her best efforts to ignore her growing attraction. In order to find out the truth, the two of them decide to retrace her steps from that fateful night. They discover there are others who have been "taken," just like Kyra. Only, Kyra is the first person to have been returned past the forty-eight-hour taken mark. With a determined, secret government agency after her, Kyra desperately tries to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had . . . but what if the life she wants back is not her own?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (April 21, 2014)

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.

I had a great week last week. My friend and I went to a book signing at The Red Balloon. I got to meet Deb Coletti and buy her newest book for our media center. I haven't read her books but am eager to give them a try when I finally get my review stack under control. I have so many YA May releases that I am spreading them out between both my blogs. My adult books are just going to have to wait!

This coming week will be busier. I have a townhouse association meeting Monday evening, a book signing in St. Paul on Tuesday evening, and a school committee meeting on Thursday evening. I also need to find time to watch The Voice on my computer since I'll be missing both shows this week.

I'm glad I could get some extra reading in because of our one-day Spring Break on Friday. Easter was a great reading day too because I decided not to travel this weekend and am just nesting in at home.

Read Last Week

I read Project Paper Doll: The Hunt by Stacey Kade and enjoyed this second book in the Project Paper Doll series. It had lots of action. My review is here. The book will be released on April 22.

The Taking by Kimberly Derting was also an excellent science fiction story that begins a trilogy. My review will be posted on April 24. This book will be released on April 29.

Foolish Games by Tracy Solheim was an engaging sports romance. I enjoyed it. My review is here. This book was from my TBR stack.

The Wizard's Promise by Cassandra Rose Clarke was an engaging fantasy novel. My review will be posted on April 26. This book will be released on May 6.

Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle by Bob Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith is the third book in this middle grade mystery series. I liked the story and I like that there are directions for projects for young scientists to do. My review will be posted on April 24.

Who Needs Enemies by Keri Arthur is from my TBR mountain. This urban fantasy novel begins a new series and features a half elf, half siren as the main character. I enjoyed the character, the story, and the world Arthur created. My review will be posted on April 26.

A Creature of Moonlight by debut author Rebecca Hahn was an amazing fantasy. I loved the world and really loved the main character. I am so excited that I will get a chance to meet the author on May 9 at The Red Balloon. My review will be posted on May 1.

Currently

I am currently reading Royally Lost by Angie Stanton which is a cute contemporary romance. It will be released on May 6.

Next Week

These two are the last of my seven May 6 releases.

Monument 14: Savage Drift by Emmy Laybourne finishes the Monument 14 post-apocalyptic series. She is also part of the Fierce Reads tour I'll be meeting in June.

The Falconer by Elizabeth May sounds like an amazing combination of historical fiction, steampunk, and paranormal. I got this one from LibraryThing and it has been on my wishlist since I first heard about it. 

These three begin my five May 13 releases.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart has been getting lots of buzz. It sounds intriguing. I got the eARC from NetGalley.

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel was one of the books sent to me from Macmillan.

Caged Warrior by Alan Lawrence Sitomer sounded like a gritty contemporary. I requested it from NetGalley.

The Queen of the Tearling by Erikan Johansen doesn't release until July but I need to read it soon to stay in good standing at the Amazon Vine program. It sounds like a wonderful fantasy.

Reviews Posted

• Project Paper Doll: The Hunt by Stacey Kade
• The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones
• Foolish Games by Tracy Solheim
• Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

Something cool happened this week. Tracy Solheim saw my Friday post when I spotlighted Foolish Games and asked me if I would like a copy of the next book in the series. I quickly said yes. I can't wait to read that story!

How was your week? What do you have planned for this one?

Stacking the Shelves (April 20, 2014)

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.

Here is what I added to my shelves over the past two weeks.

I got the latest book in the Honor Harrington Universe for my Kindle this week. Cauldron of Ghosts is the third book in the Crown of Slaves story arc. 

Firebird by Susanna Kearsley is also a Kindle book. It was a daily deal that I had heard good things about.

Freak of Nature by Julia Crane was a free science fiction romance. I saw it on someone's stacking post and had to have it for my own.

Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin is a mystery by author Mary Logue. She talked about it at a conference I recently attended. 

The Collector by Nora Roberts was on my "must by" list since I really love Nora Roberts' books. It was also my only print book of the week.

New Orleans Requiem by D. J. Donaldson was a Kindle daily deal recently. I bought the whole 4 book series of mysteries for my Kindle for $.99 a book.

Bad Karma in the Big Easy by D. J. Donalson

Sleeping with the Crawfish by D. J. Donaldson

Louisiana Fever by D. J. Donaldson

Frost Moon by Anthony Francis was also a Kindle Daily Deal. It sounded like an interesting urban fantasy story. 

What did you add to your stack this week? Does anyone else feel like ebooks don't count when considering how many books are on their TBR stack?

Book Review: Foolish Games by Tracy Solheim

Foolish Games
Author: Tracy Solheim
Series: An Out of Bounds Novel
Publication: Berkley (December 3, 2013)

Description: This Hail Mary play for the heart is the latest sports romance in the sizzling Out of Bounds series. 

Bridal gown designer Julianne Marchione knows better than to lose her head at a client’s wedding. But, much to her embarrassment, a mix of migraine medication and a smoking hot football player lead to a steamy one night stand resulting in a surprise pregnancy. Julianne has every intention of leaving her NFL hookup far in the past until her son, Owen, is born with a life-threatening blood disorder that requires a transfusion—and Julianne is not a match.

Will “William the Conqueror” Connelly grew up tough, shouldering the stigma of being a bastard child born on the wrong side of the tracks. He refuses to let any child face the same discrimination. When he finds out about Owen, he’s furious that Julianne kept his son a secret. But when he sees her again at the hospital, he realizes that his feelings for her go far beyond anger.

Will insists that Owen recuperate at his home in North Carolina, and he’s adamant that Julianne become his wife—even if it’s only a temporary marriage in name only. But will their simmering attraction ever lead to a real connection?  Or are they just playing foolish games?

My Thoughts: This was an interesting story that explores the "secret baby" trope. Julianne had never intended to let Will know that she had had his baby. But when the baby suffers a medical emergency that can only be solved by a transfusion of parental blood and Julianne's isn't right, she has to let Will know he is a father. Will who grew up as an illegitimate child in a small town has always been determined that no child of his would suffer the same fate.

This one night stand will have life-changing consequences for both of them. These two people don't know each other but Julianne's guilt at keeping her son from his father and Will's need to make things right has them marrying with every intention of it being a temporary situation.

While they don't know each other, and Will certainly doesn't trust Julianne, the chemistry between them is evident to the people around them. And there is a strong cast of people around them. Will's mother has a strong role in the book as does Will's general manager. Julianne also has her friends Carly and Nick and her business manager Sebastian to support her. Julianne's brother the Senator also has a role in the story which adds tons of complications.

Besides the romance part of the story, Will is also dealing with accusations of collecting bounties for hitting players too hard. The coach he idolized and who got him out of his poverty-stricken background and into Yale is right in the middle of it. Will is determined to be loyal to that coach despite what it could do to his career. Julianne's brother is chairing the Senate investigation into these activities by calling them racketeering.

I enjoyed the intensity of this romance and am eager to seek out other books in the series.

Favorite Quote:

Her challenge hung in the air for a moment before he descended on her. "Stop telling me I don't want my son." He wanted to strangle her, but only a psychopath would do that to his child's mother with their kid in the room. So he opted for kissing her instead. And it was an incredible kiss. Like a mon who'd gone without food or water for days, he devoured her.

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

Friday Memes: Foolish Games by Tracy Solheim

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 Foolish Games by Tracy Solheim. I first saw this book on Penguin's First To Read website. I wasn't chosen to be an early reader but I bought it as soon as I could. I am a sucker for sports romances and this one sounded really good.
Here is the description:

This Hail Mary play for the heart is the latest sports romance in the sizzling Out of Bounds series. 

Bridal gown designer Julianne Marchione knows better than to lose her head at a client’s wedding. But, much to her embarrassment, a mix of migraine medication and a smoking hot football player lead to a steamy one night stand resulting in a surprise pregnancy. Julianne has every intention of leaving her NFL hookup far in the past until her son, Owen, is born with a life-threatening blood disorder that requires a transfusion—and Julianne is not a match.

Will “William the Conqueror” Connelly grew up tough, shouldering the stigma of being a bastard child born on the wrong side of the tracks. He refuses to let any child face the same discrimination. When he finds out about Owen, he’s furious that Julianne kept his son a secret. But when he sees her again at the hospital, he realizes that his feelings for her go far beyond anger.

Will insists that Owen recuperate at his home in North Carolina, and he’s adamant that Julianne become his wife—even if it’s only a temporary marriage in name only. But will their simmering attraction ever lead to a real connection?  Or are they just playing foolish games?

Beginning:

Paternity.

The word reverberated inside Will Connelly's head, pummeling his temples until they began to throb. 

Friday 56:

"Julianne will always be a part of Owen's life," he said. "We all need to try to get along, for his sake. Beyond that, she isn't a part of this family."

"In a few minutes, she will be."

"That's just a legal technicality, Mom."