Mundie Moms

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Book Review- Desires of the Dead

Published by Harper Teen
Released TODAY (2/15/2011)
Source- ARC/Published Book from Harper Teen
4 stars- Great Read, Go Pick It Up

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger (quoted from Goodreads)

A wonderful sequel to a fabulous debut book.

I really fell in love with the world and the main characters Kimberly created in The Body Finder, and I enjoyed being back in their world with Desires of the Dead. I enjoy the setting and the pace in which Kimberly's are set and how well they flow. Like The Body Finder, Desires of the Dead is a book that sucked me in and took my emotions on a roller coaster ride. One moment it's suspenseful, and the next moment I'm laughing out loud at a sarcastic remark that a character says or I'm sighing over the romantic chemistry between Jay and Violet.

I liked that the story picks up right where The Body Finder left off. This time around Violet finds herself in more of limbo. Jay and Violet's relationship is taking to the next step, she inadvertently becomes involved with a FBI case/missing person's case and struggles with opening up to a new character about her ability. She's also finding it harder to open up to Jay, which results in her keeping more secrets. I really love the fact that Jay and Violet are written so realistically. It was so easy to understand their feelings, frustrations, hurt and love for each other. Kimberly throws in new characters into the story and one with a morbid fascination for Jay, that has Violet questioning what the characters true intentions are.

Like The Body Finder, Kimberly does a fascinating job at not only writing from Violet's point of view, but also from the stalker's/ killer's point of view (I'm leaving this spoiler free). In doing so, I was able to sympathize with this new character a little more. There are some great twists, turns, surprises and clues given through out the story that will keep you guessing, and towards the end Kimberly pieces everything together nicely. I didn't find Desires of The Dead as suspenseful as The Body Finder, but it was still are a great read. Really, who doesn't want to read more about Jay and Violet's fascinating ability?

Desires of the Dead is a great sequel and I'm really looking forward to reading more books in the series. Even with the book ending in a great spot, I want more. I really want to know what's going to happen with Jay & Violet next and I'm looking forward to finding out more about some of the characters who were introduced. There is a scene between Jay and Violet and I appreciate the tactful way in which Kimberly wrote it. I definitely recommend picking the book up, and I think it makes a great book for older teens.

I'm also giving away 1 copy of Desires of the Dead, which has been added to our Birthday Bash post.

Max-imum Exposure Blog Tour- Interview with Max & Pietr

Welcome to the MAX-imum Exposure Tour for the 13 to Life Series! Happy Book Birthday to Secrets and Shadows, which is out TODAY!! Be sure to go pick up your copy.

I am really excited to have both Max & Pietr on the blog today!

























Each site throughout the tour will have swag and an individualized interview with either Pietr, Max or both! Shannon has also included an audio download for each interview so you can hear the Rusakova boys! I had technical issue with my audio part of the interview, and the person you hear interviewing the guys is not be, but was kind enough to fill in for me. Please select Play
to listen to the audio portion of the interview. I've also included a transcript below.

And make sure you join us live at 9pm EST on 2/17 here for a live chatroom chat with Max, Pietr and Shannon!







Katie: Hey, guys!
Pietr: Hi, Katie.
Max: Here. Sit with me. Make yourself comfortable.
Katie: I'm thinking we should just start off with a question everyone is dying to ask, which one is the better looking one?
Max: I am.
Pietr: He is. But I’m smarter—
Max: Heyyy...
Pietr: --and intelligence tends to outlast looks. Besides, who would you rather date—someone who remembers your birthday and can choose a gift based on your interests or—Max. Quit staring into Katie’s eyes like that.
Max: Keep talking, little brother. I’m sure you’re doing fine. Just—ignore us...
Pietr: Where. Is. Your. Necklace?
Max: I’m off my chain today... You have beautiful hair, Katie.
Katie: Umm...Thanks...
Pietr: MAX.
Max: And gorgeous eyes, Katie. Shhh, Pietr—girls like it when you use their name.
Pietr: They like it when you can remember their name ten minutes after you’ve walked away, too. What’s your next question for us, Katie?
Katie: Oh, yes. I've always been curious on what it's like running through the woods with the wolves.
Max: You wanna come along sometime?
Katie: Wait—what?
Pietr: Ignore him, Katie. The question?
Katie: What do you enjoy most about being in your wolf form?
Pietr: The feeling of running free in areas people often overlook—bursting through the brush and briars—
Katie: That’s beautiful, Pietr.
Max: What I like most about being in my wolf form is—
Pietr: --being able to pee wherever and whenever you want?
Max: Nyet!
Pietr: --being able to—
Max: Pietrrrr--
Katie: Boys! Many of us are anxiously waiting Secrets and Shadows, as 13 to Life left off with a big cliff hanger. Can you tell us a little about what we can expect?
Pietr: More trouble. Definitely more trouble.
Max: Do you like trouble? ‘Cause I’ve been told I’m nothin’ but trouble...
Pietr: Max... Katie—
Max: Those sound nice together—Max and Katie...
Pietr: Katie, not only do we get into more trouble, but there’s also more romance—which spells trouble, too.
Max: Romance and trouble are not spelled alike, even I know that.
Pietr: Next question, please.
Katie: Being girls, we know how to keep a secret and we're wondering if either of you has a secret you'd be willing to share with us. You know, something that the other one may not want us to know about him *coughs*, nothing bad of course.
Pietr: Of course. Nothing bad.
Katie: Pietr, you’re glaring at Max...
Pietr: And I thought I was the only one who stated the obvious.
Max: Pietr’s a virgin.
Pietr: What?!
Max: Well, it’s not a bad thing. Necessarily. I guess.
Katie: Pietr—Pietr—your eyes are turning red...
Pietr: Sorry, Katie. Give me a minute, please. A secret. About Max. Nothing bad.
Katie: Right—nothing bad.
Pietr: Max isn’t as bad as he acts.
Max: What?!
Pietr: He has a bad boy reputation, da, but... He’s just a big kitten. A pussy cat.
Max: Pietrrrr---
Katie: Boys—BOYS! How would you describe each other in three words?
Max: Three words?
Pietr: You can count that high, da?
Katie: Three words—three clean words.
Pietr: Max is: overwhelming, obtuse and obnoxious.
Max: Pietr is: unique—a good thing, uptight and obvious.
Katie: If you could pick another paranormal power, what would you choose and why?
Pietr: Telekinesis. The ability to move things with my mind could be very helpful considering all the trouble we seem to attract.
Katie: That could definitely be useful. And you, Max, what paranormal power would you want?
Max: Telepathy. Being able to hear other people’s thoughts and share my thoughts with others...
Pietr: Not much to share...
Katie: Pietr—Max... Behave... Thank you both for stopping by.
Pietr: Thank you, Katie.
Max: It was my pleasure...

___________________________

Shannon Delany is the winner of the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world and the author of the 13 to Life series through St. Martin's Press. 13 to Life is already available and Secrets and Shadows hits stores 2/15/11 with Bargains and Betrayals landing on shelves 8/16/11 (already available for pre-order!)and two more as of yet unnamed novels coming out in 2012.

For more about Shannon, visit her author website: www.ShannonDelany.com
Her series website: www.13toLifeseries.com&nbsp
You can also find Shannon on Facebook and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Shannon_Delany

Want a fun freebie you can print out and use with a web-cam to make a bookmark much more than a bookmark? Go here and check out the Augmented Reality bookmark: http://ht.ly/3KgG7

Happy Book Birthday To:
































There's some awesome releases today!
Be sure to go pick up your copies of:

* Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting
* Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
* Secrets & Shadows by Shannon Delany
* Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore
* Phantom Universe by Laura Kreitzer
* Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

Twitter Tuesday - Jeri Smith-Ready


Jeri tweeted the cover to her sequel for Shade and isn't it intriguing?? I really enjoyed the book (link to review) and especially Jeri's ghostly mythology and world building. So I'm looking forward to the May 11th release of Shift. Here's the synopsis from goodreads:

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.




For those of you looking for a credible Love Triangle with a delicious paranormal twist, be sure to pick up Shade and start reading, it won't be long before Shift's release date is here.

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