Review: The Breakaway

The Breakaway
Michelle Davidson Argyle
Release date: May 1st, 2012
by Rhemalda Publishing

Goodreads / Purchase

When Naomi Jensen is kidnapped, it takes her parents two days to realize she’s missing. Escape isn’t high on her list of priorities when all she has to return to is an abusive boyfriend and parents who never paid much attention to her. For the first time in her life she’s part of a family—even if it is a family of criminals. But she’s still a captive. In a desperate attempt to regain some control in her life, Naomi embarks on a dangerous plan to make one of her kidnappers think she’s falling in love with him. The plan works too well, and when faced with the chance to escape, Naomi isn’t sure she wants to take it.

*A copy was provided by Michelle Davidson Argyle for review purposes*

Stockholm Syndrome: "[noun, Psychiatry] an emotional attachment to a captor formed by a hostage as a result of continuous stress, dependence, and a need to cooperate for survival." -Dictionary.com

This is not my first foray into this psychiatric syndrome and I find it fascinating to be honest. Developing feelings, or yet, falling in love with your abductor? Sounds impossible, right? Or at least something you can't ever imagine allowing yourself to do in their situation. You're too smart, too strong, you would have too much awareness to let yourself become "attached". How ridiculous! This is how I used to think. Until I read my first book on the matter - Held by Edeet Ravel. Since then I am completely convinced that this could happen to anyone, easily. However, if this was my first book on Stockholm Syndrome, I'm not certain I would have had the same understanding.

"These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims. […] strong emotional ties that develop between two persons where one person intermittently harasses, beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other" -Wikipedia

The circumstance in The Breakaway is not your ordinary kidnapping. Is there constant danger, threats, abuse? No. Naomi basically becomes one of them; living as a family with no feelings of true danger or stress. Sure, she is reliant on them and even a bit numb about the situation, but after the first little while, she lives a pretty relaxed, comfortable life. Even mentally she doesn't seem to be incredibly distraught. Since her parents never cared for her, and her boyfriend beat her, she's the happiest she's been really. When I compare this to Held, where the girl was kept in an empty warehouse with her captor bringing her food when he could, it didn't have the same intense feel I was expecting, where there's a perpetual daily dependence towards the abductor. So this is all to say that yes, we've got a case of Stockholm Syndrome at its core, but I didn't feel it truly did it justice. It simply felt as if a real relationship was growing in an atypical situation, instead of manifesting from an irrational dependency.

There is definitely some emotional dilemma happening inside Naomi. Did she really love her boyfriend? Does she miss him? Why don't her parents care? It's not your ordinary abduction, but it's also not your usual teenage life. With no friends or family who care about her, being stuck in this house with this seemingly happy family who seem to genuinely like her doesn't seem so bad at all. I did feel it went by rather quickly; since the book spans a whole year, we can skip weeks/months between chapters. Consequently, we don't get incredibly deep inside her internal predicaments, but it's definitely an intriguing situation that raises some questions. After a while, I didn't even want her to try to escape. I, myself, got to really adore a few of her abductors. In this sense, Stockholm Syndrome was evidenced in her wanting to stay with this new family. As a longing for what she never had.

To flesh out these characters, there's a lot of mystery regarding their lives, moreover, what led to this; what brought on Naomi's kidnapping and what are their intentions. There's a lot of background story that we learn about these people that helps us understand how this came about. These people are criminals, but every one has their reasons. The ending is bittersweet and satisfactory for a realistic conclusion to such a story. In the end, I can say that I quite enjoyed this book overall. It was much calmer than I expected, but I would easily recommend it for those who have a liking for psychological contemporaries.

3 Hot Espressos

Review: Pretty When She Dies

Pretty When She Dies
Rhiannon Frater
Series: Pretty When She... Trilogy #1
Release date: November 24th 2008

Goodreads / Purchase

Amaliya wakes under the forest floor, disoriented, famished and confused. She digs out of the shallow grave and realizes she is hungry...

... in a new, horrific, unimaginable way...

Sating her great hunger, she discovers that she is now a vampire, the bloodthirsty creature of legend. She has no choice but to flee from her old life and travels across Texas. Her new hunger spurs her to leave a wake of death and blood behind her as she struggles with her new nature.

All the while, her creator is watching. He is ancient, he is powerful, and what's worse is that he's a necromancer. He has the power to force the dead to do his bidding. Amaliya realizes she is but a pawn in a twisted game, and her only hope for survival is to seek out one of her own kind.

But if Amaliya finds another vampire, will it mean her salvation... or her death?

What would you do if you woke up buried in the ground? Well Amaliya first took a shower (duh!), then what comes next involves blood. Lots and lots of blood.

Left on her own to find out what she is, and how to survive it, Amaliya has a pretty rough beginning into her new vampiric life. However, she soon proves to be a pretty bad-ass heroine by, well... improvising. She's a fighter through and through. Instead of whining about her horrible situation, she goes out there and figures it out. Embracing it, even. Which I found especially awesome. It's not without a kill or two… or three, but eventually, she finds another of her kind. This is where Cian comes along.

Cian is centuries old, and the master of Austin. He doesn't know what he's getting into when he decides to take Amaliya under his wing. Let me just tell you, it gets hot. Very hot! That is, until Samantha - Cian's human fiancé - and his servant Roberto comes along. Things get very cold, fast. Neither wants Amaliya around, so as you can guess, you can also expect plenty of back-stabbing and betrayals. As usual, good or bad, all the characters are incredibly well written and perfectly flawed. Even the side characters play a major role in the story. I can't fail to mention Sergio and Grandma which, with their humor and charm, became instant favorites.

"It's the irony of being a vampire. Being immortal and being terrified of death."

-Quote in Pretty When She Dies

Gritty and dark, the vampire lore in Pretty When She Dies sticks to the original blood drinking, day sleeping vampires; they're dangerous and violent. I loved the overall world building, in particular, the addition of necromancy (which means we also have some zombies!) that shakes it up a little giving us an extra twisted plot and epic fight scenes. This necromancer - they call him The Summoner - can not only call on, and control, an army of undead, he's also a wickedly malicious and extremely old vampire. This makes him highly powerful as a villain. Believe me, he won't fail to intimidate you. How about this: To lessen his boredom, he creates vampires to set free, stalk, then kill. That's not barbaric at all... This book is definitely not without its fair share of action.

I continue to be blown away by Rhiannon's crack-infused pages; keeping me glued to her words. Combining classic vampire lore, horror, and romance - she has given us another astonishingly compelling read.

5 Hot Espressos

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Waiting on Wednesday (34)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. 

My pick this week:

Reaper

L.S. Murphy

Release date: January 7th, 2013

by J. Taylor Publshing

Add it to your Goodreads

There's no way sixteen year old Quincy Amarante will become the fifth grim reaper. None. Not over her shiny blue Mustang. Her Jimmy Choos. Or her dead body.

She’s supposed to enjoy her sophomore year, not learn about some freaky future Destiny says she has no choice but to fulfill.

It doesn’t take long for Quincy to realize the only way out of the game is to play along especially since Death can find her anyway, anywhere, anytime. And does.

Like when she’s reassuring her friends she wants nothing to do with former best friend Ben Moorland, who’s returned from god-knows-where, and fails. Miserably.

Instead of maintaining her coveted popularity status, Quincy’s goes down like the Titanic.

Maybe ... just maybe ... that’s okay.

It seems, perhaps, becoming a grim reaper isn’t just about the dead but more about a much needed shift in Quincy’s priorities—from who she thinks she wants to be to who she really is.

I love grim reaper stories. All the ones I have read I have immensely enjoyed - my favorite is the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones. That one's an adult series, though, but it's seriously awesome and all kinds of hilarious! So anyways, I love the lore and death is just, you know... scary, but also fascinating. Like an accident you can't look away from! Reaper's premise sounds a bit light and fun, but it's tagged under Thriller/Suspense on the pub's website. Either way, I'm really looking forward to this!

What's did you pick this week?

Link me up! :)

Cover Reveal - 5 New Covers

Breaking Glass
Lisa Amowitz
Release date: July 9th, 2013
by Spencer Hill Press


Add it to your Goodreads

On the night seventeen-year-old Jeremy Glass winds up in the hospital with a broken leg and a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit, his secret crush, Susannah, disappears. When he begins receiving messages from her from beyond the grave, he's not sure whether they're real or if he's losing his grip on reality. Clue by clue, he gets closer to unraveling the mystery, and soon realizes he must discover the truth or become the next victim himself.

Throne of Glass

Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass, #1

Release date: August 7th, 2012

by Bloomsbury USA Children's

Add it to your Goodreads

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Closed Hearts
Susan Kaye Quinn
Series: Mindjack Trilogy, #2
Release date: May 23rd, 2012

Add it to your Goodreads

When you control minds, only your heart can be used against you.

Eight months ago, Kira Moore revealed to the mindreading world that mindjackers like herself were hidden in their midst. Now she wonders if telling the truth was the right choice after all. As wild rumors spread, a powerful anti-jacker politician capitalizes on mindreaders’ fears and strips jackers of their rights. While some jackers flee to Jackertown—a slum rife with jackworkers who trade mind control favors for cash—Kira and her family hide from the readers who fear her and jackers who hate her. But when a jacker Clan member makes Kira’s boyfriend Raf collapse in her arms, Kira is forced to save the people she loves by facing the thing she fears most: FBI agent Kestrel and his experimental torture chamber for jackers.

Mindjack Trilogy so far:

Then You Were Gone

Lauren Strasnick

Release date January 8th, 2013
by Simon Pulse

Add it to your Goodreads

Two years ago, Adrienne’s best friend, Dakota, walked out of her life. One week ago, she left Adrienne a desperate, muffled voicemail. Adrienne never called back.

Now Dakota is missing, and all that remains is a string of broken hearts, a flurry of rumors, and a suicide note.

Adrienne can’t stop obsessing over what might have happened if she’d answered Dakota’s call. And she’s growing more convinced each day that Dakota is still alive.

Maybe finding and saving Dakota is the only way Adrienne can save herself.

Or maybe it’s too late for them both.

The First Days
Rhiannon Frater
Series: As the World Dies, #1
Release date: October 30th, 2012 (Mass Market)
by Tor Books

Add it to your Goodreads

The morning that the world ends, Katie is getting ready for court and housewife Jenni is taking care of her family. Less than two hours later, they are fleeing for their lives from a zombie horde.

Thrown together by circumstance, Jenni and Katie become a powerful zombie-killing partnership, mowing down zombies as they rescue Jenni's stepson, Jason, from an infected campground.

They find sanctuary in a tiny, roughly fortified Texas town.  There Jenni and Katie find they are both attracted to Travis, leader of the survivors; and the refugees must slaughter people they know, who have returned in zombie form. 

Paperback vs Mass Market:

Don't forget to check out The Bookish Brunette's Zombie Craze that launched today and the official hostess of The First Days cover reveal!

This is a lot of pretty! What do you think, lovelies? Honestly I love them all. Breaking Glass and Then You Were Gone both sound like great upcoming mysteries that I'm undoubtedly exciting to read. Throne of Glass looks like a must read for all fantasy fanatics and the cover is beautiful. Open Minds is a book I've been meaning to read for a while it's been recommended to me numerous times and it sounds right up my alley. The cover for the sequel is gorgeous I freaking love it!! As for the new The First Days cover - right? Pretty awesome! (By cover artist David Franklin) Although, poor zombie has to walk the earth for the rest of his life with a mullet. Hopefully Jenni will punch him to death or something. You can find my reviews of the As The World Dies series here.

Let me know what you think!

Review: Inhale by Kendall Grey

Inhale
Kendall Grey
Series: Just Breathe, #1
Release date: May 1st, 2012

Goodreads / Purchase

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

*This book contains graphic language, sex, and some violence. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

*A copy was provided by Kendall Grey for review purposes*

Creative, original premise? Check.
Engaging characters? Check.
Hot sex? Triple check.
Do I have your attention yet?

I was wary at first when I saw there was talk of whale biology in this book as I have no knowledge or grand interest in the matter, but then I heard about the hot sex but I kept seeing such wonderful reviews that eventually convinced me to give it a try. I can say I'm really glad I did because this one is packed full or originality with a fast pace that never lets go, and the whale aspect actually managed to intrigue me. The world building itself had me a bit confused during the first quarter or so, trying to decipher this new paranormal world of dreams and elements. But I eventually caught on and found myself quite fascinated by the whole thing. We're dealing with the four elements; an elemental imbalance in the Dreamlands is causing people to have nightmares, essentially affecting their moods or, worst case, getting them killed. It's all fairly complex with a lot of information to take in, however, Kendall makes it work. In no time, it all ties together and we're left with an immensely creative world that is brilliantly built.

There's no skimping on the characters either. We've got Zoe; whale biologist, dreamer, independent butt kicker. She's someone who knows what she wants, and tries her hardest to get it. She doesn't need anyone to sling her along, or to point out the obvious, especially when it comes to Gavin. And who's this Gavin? He's the sex-on-a-stick rock star that appears in her dreams to, well, rock her world. Though, unbeknownst to her, he's real. Very real! The romance is undoubtedly hot and steamy, but it's also realistic. I could feel their emotional attachment, especially when Zoe finds out he exists outside her dreams - a powerfully written scene vibrating from the emotional dilemma. These protagonists are both wonderful; perfectly flawed and easily loveable.

Not only are these two full or life, the side characters are equally captivating, from the trustworthy mentor to the sexy villain. They all play their own distinct part in this elaborate universe, and they play them filled with charisma. It only adds to the already enthralling storyline.

A unique paranormal lore with a touch of fantasy, the plot in Inhale is constantly on the move. Since we go back and forth from the dream world to reality, as well as from Zoe and Gavin's POV, there's no stagnancy in here! If we're not learning about their world, we're taken into epic fight scenes, or quests to unmask the prophecy they were given; ultimately trying to restore the elemental balance before it's too late. As far as self published books go, this is one of the better edited I've read - I was even surprised when I saw it was self published about 20% through. The writing is beautiful and flows smoothly with virtually no typos. If you're serious about Urban Fantasy novels that kick butt - I highly recommend this one! 

4 Hot Espressos