Giveaway and Review: "Beg for Mercy"

"Beg for Mercy"
 by Jami Alden

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: June 1, 2011

Source: ARC sent by publisher


 

Summary from goodreads.com:

Megan Flynn thought she was falling in love. Cole Williams wasn't just handsome and passionate, he was one of the good guys. Or so she thought, until he arrested her brother - the only family she has left - for a murder she knows he couldn't have possibly committed. Now, with her heart broken and her brother's life hanging in the balance, Megan will risk everything to prove his innocence. Even if that means throwing herself into the path of a sadistic killer with a hauntingly familiar MO.

Seattle Detective Cole Williams had given up on making Megan see reason where her brother is concerned. But when she insinuates herself into the most shockingly brutal case Cole has ever worked, he can't stand idly by. Plunged into a secret world where the city's elite indulge their darkest desires, Cole will do whatever it takes to bring down a madman who has made Megan his most coveted prey.

My Mini Review:

This book is not for the faint of heart like me. I actually didn't finish this one because the crime scenes were way too intense. I wouldn't classify it as a romance, but as a thriller. So if you are fans of crime thrillers that don't shy away from the gritty details, you will love this one! I'd recommend this book to readers who are up for a very scary thriller, not those looking for a romance and mystery.

Bottom Line: Way too scary for me!!

GIVEAWAY RULES:

Hachette books has generously provided three copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy

Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:

• US and Canada only
• No PO Boxes please
• Must be a follower to enter
• Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
• Leave a comment with your email address
• Books will be mailed out by Hachette
• Must be 18 or over 

• Ends Wed June 29

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck! 

"What Would Mr. Darcy Do?" Mini-Review

"What Would Mr. Darcy Do?"
by Abigail Reynolds

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Release Date: April 30, 2011

Source: contest win

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

But what if Darcy hadn't immediately left the inn? What if Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy had chosen to speak their feelings rather than to assume the worst about the other? Jane Austen's beloved characters are given the opportunity to reach out one last time before they part. While their path forward is still filled with misadventures and misunderstandings it is rich with humor, romance, and sensuality as they learn about each other and the meaning of love. But there's still a scandal threatening to engulf the Bennet family, and Elizabeth can't be sure that Darcy's love for her could withstand such a blow. Determined to give Darcy up rather than drag his name through the mud, Elizabeth will have to choose for herself between what she believes is right, and what she wants more than anything...

My Mini-Review:

This was a super sweet retelling of "Pride and Prejudice", picking up after Elizabeth's refusal of Darcy. As if readers needed to fall even more in love with Mr. Darcy, I think this book could easily make that happen! Without losing any attributes from the original, we get to see an even softer, sweeter side of Darcy. Readers get to see his true head-over-heels romantic feelings towards Elizabeth.

"Pride and Prejudice" lovers are sure to love this glimpse into Mr. Darcy's romantic musings on his love for Elizabeth. Elizabeth is her same stubborn, strong self, and Georgina, Darcy's sister, is absolutely adorable in this version.


Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5 
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing:4/5

 
Bottom Line: A short, sweet, and very romantic look back at two of Austen's most beloved characters.

"Dark Descendant" Mini-Review

"Dark Descendant"
by Jenna Black

Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: April 26, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

From the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley, Exorcist books comes the gripping first novel in a new series about a private eye who discovers, to her surprise, that she’s an immortal huntress.

Nikki Glass can track down any man. But when her latest client turns out to be a true descendant of Hades, Nikki now discovers she can’t die. . . . Crazy as it sounds, Nikki’s manhunting skills are literally god-given. She’s a living, breathing descendant of Artemis who has stepped right into a trap set by the children of the gods. Nikki’s new “friends” include a descendant of Eros, who uses sex as a weapon; a descendant of Loki, whose tricks are no laughing matter; and a half-mad descendant of Kali who thinks she’s a spy. But most powerful of all are the Olympians, a rival clan of immortals seeking to destroy all Descendants who refuse to bow down to them. In the eternal battle of good god/bad god, Nikki would make a divine weapon. But if they think she’ll surrender without a fight, the gods must be crazy....

My Mini-Review: 

While I think fans of Urban Fantasy will enjoy this book, it was too dark for my tastes. I liked the idea of the characters being descendants of mythical gods. The gods were from the mythologies of different cultures, some well known, some lesser known. Even with this great starting point, the violence and cursing turned me off of this story. I suppose those aspects appeal to readers of the genre though because it seems to be common in Urban Fantasy books. I like the tone and voice in my reads to be a little softer and gentler, not so aggressive and in-your-face. I think I would like to try one of the author's YA fantasy books, because the grittiness might be toned down.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5 
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 3/5

 
Bottom Line:I would recommend this book to Urban Fantasy readers because of the twist on the mythological characters, but this book didn't quite fit my tastes.

"Death Cloud" Mini-Review

"Death Cloud"
by Andrew Lane

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Release Date: Feb 1, 2011

Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock’s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.  

My Mini-Review:

"Death Cloud" is the first in a series of the adventures of young Sherlock Holmes. The book has been approved by the Sir. Author Conan Doyle estate, so you know it's going to be good! This book is really the perfect combination of action/adventure and logical explanations. I love the logic Sherlock is starting to cultivate, and it's great to see everything explained in a detailed way. The explanation of the Death Cloud itself is quite intriguing.


I loved the characters, Sherlock is so lovable in that he's not perfect, but he's learning to see his own flaws and wants to better himself. Sherlock's partners in logic are fun and likable as well, including Matty the street urchin and Sherlock's mentor, Amyus Crowe.


Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This is such a fun read, packed with action, and logical thinking that makes you ask "why didn't I think of that?"

"The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor, Vampire Slayer" Mini Review

"The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor, Vampire Slayer"
as told by Lucy Weston

Publisher: Gallery
Release Date: Jan 4, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Sovereign Power. Eternal Pleasure.

Revealed at last in this new vampire saga for the ages: the true, untold story of the “Virgin Queen” and her secret war against the Vampire King of England. . . .On the eve of her coronation, Elizabeth Tudor is summoned to the tomb of her mother, Anne Boleyn, to learn the truth about her bloodline—and her destiny as a Slayer. Born to battle the bloodsucking fiends who ravage the night, and sworn to defend her beloved realm against all enemies, Elizabeth soon finds herself stalked by the most dangerous and seductive vampire of all.
He is Mordred, bastard son of King Arthur, who sold his soul to destroy his father. After centuries in hiding, he has arisen determined to claim the young Elizabeth as his Queen. Luring her into his world of eternal night, Mordred tempts Elizabeth with the promise of everlasting youth and beauty, and vows to protect her from all enemies. Together, they will rule over a golden age for vampires in which humans will exist only to be fed upon. Horrified by his intentions, Elizabeth embraces her powers as a Slayer even as she realizes that the greatest danger comes from her own secret desire to yield to Mordred . . . to bare her throat in ecstasy and allow the vampire king to drink deeply of her royal blood.
As told by Lucy Weston, the vampire prey immortalized in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this spellbinding account will capture your heart and soul—forever.

My Mini Review:

This vampire romance is written in flowery, Victorian language that really gives you a feel for the era and the gothic style of the story. This book will definitely appeal to fans of Victorian vampire stories, the original Dracula story, and mash ups in general.

For someone who loves romance as much as I do, I'm just not a fan of literally dropping things because you're so mesmerized at first sight by someone. I think this style of 'love' will really appeal to die hard Edward and Bella fans. Unfortunately, it's an all-consuming, creepy kind of love to me.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: I might have liked this one more if I had read the original "Dracula" and could identify more with Lucy Weston. Overall, this one just wasn't my style.

"Brooklyn Story" Mini Review

"Brooklyn Story"
by Suzanne Corso

Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: Dec 28, 2010

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

To me, some people lived in the real world and others lived Brooklyn. . . .It’s the summer of 1978, and Samantha Bonti is fifteen years old, half Jewish and half Italian, and hesitantly edging toward pure Brooklyn, even if her dreams of something more are bigger than the neighborhood girls’ teased hair. She lives in Bensonhurst with her mother, Joan, a woman abandoned and scarred in a ruinous marriage, poisoned with cynicism, and shackled by addictions; and with her Grandma Ruth, Samantha’s loudest and most opinionated source of encouragement. As flawed as they are, they are family.
Samantha’s best friend is Janice Caputo, a girl who understands, as well as Samantha does, this close-knit community of ancestors and traditions that stand like roadblocks, this insular overcrowded little world of controlling mobsters who mold their women like Jell-O; and of the wannabes, the charismatic young guys who are willing to engage in anything illegal to get a shot at playing with the big boys. Yet, Samantha has something Janice doesn’t—a desire to become a writer and to escape the destiny that is assumed for all of them in the outer reaches of Bensonhurst. And it’s to be had just across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Then comes Tony Kroon.
Older than Samantha, Tony is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, half-Sicilian, half-Dutch mobster wannabe. A Bensonhurst Adonis. Taken in by his adoring attention, and empathetic to Tony’s own struggles with identity, Samantha is falling in love, even when she’s warned never to ask imprudent questions of Tony’s life. Even when her family and friends warn her to stay away. Even when Samantha knows she’s too smart to fall this deep . . . but the last thing she wants is the first thing to happen. Unable to resist Tony’s seductive charms, Samantha soon finds herself swallowed up by dangerous circumstances that threaten to jeopardize more than her dreams. Grandma Ruth’s advice: Samantha had better write herself out this story and into a new one, fast.
Told from the adult perspective, this is a powerful, true-to-life novel of leaving the past to history and the future to fate—of restoring hope where there was none, and reaching for dreams in an inspiring promise of paradise called Manhattan.


My Mini Review:

Naive Brooklyn girl, Samantha, falls for a handsome guy and ends up moving too fast and finds herself in an abusive relationship. This isn't really the type of book I like to read, I'd recommend it to those who like a very raw, gritty read. The book doesn't gloss over any of the seedy details. Parts were very hard to read, some scenes really made me squirm.

There wasn't much else going on besides Samantha's relationship with Tony, which to be honest was quite a downer. This story was tough to read and I found myself cringing throughout the book, thinking "No, why is the poor girl doing this??" I just felt really bad for her and wanted to help her.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 3/5
Romance: 1/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This one just wasn't for me, it was way too gritty and uncomfortable.

 

"What Happens in London"

Mini Review:
My mini reviews are short, sweet reviews just long enough to give you an idea of what I thought about a book, they usually don't include a summary like my regular reviews. Take a minute or two and enjoy!


"What Happens in London"
by Julia Quinn

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars


"What Happens in London" has so many rave reviews, that maybe my expectations were a little too high. I do think Julia Quinn's writing style is excellent, so much thought goes into every single page. The main characters' witty banter and snappy inner dialogue were so much fun to read. I absolutely loved the supporting character, Sebastian! He was just too much fun to read about, especially his love for the silly "Ms. Butterworth" novel. He was such a vivid character who just jumped off the page for me. However, I was less than thrilled about the actual romance in this book. I just felt no connection between Harry and Olivia, and when they started to fall in love, I thought it came across as forced and cheesy. I know, I know, I'm in the minority in thinking this, but I really did think the book was funny and witty, just not very romantic. I can't wait for Sebatian to get his own book!