Sunday, April 10, 2016

Show the Books Showcase #5, April 10th

There are a ton of books out there! So here's a chance to organize some books and show them off in various ways!

So this week's theme is A Book From Every Page (on NetGalley's Shelves!)

The ABACUS Protocol: Sanity Vacuum by Thea Gregory
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Published: December 6th, 2012
From Goodreads:
Vivian Skye just finished university, and landed a dream internship.

Not many would consider the distant and isolated Extra-Galactic Observatory cushy, but to Vivian it’s a dream come true. Hailing from the low-tech planet of Aurora, she studied for years to work on advanced quantum supercomputers. This is her chance to start a career and leave her past life behind.

Her assignment is simple: a routine upgrade for the station’s supercomputer, quIRK.

Her reception isn’t a friendly, one, and she finds that her only friend is quIRK. However, the station’s administrator, Bryce Zimmer is obsessed with quIRK—he suspects that the AI may have achieved sentience, something explicitly prohibited by the ABACUS Protocol.

Bryce’s traumatic and privileged past makes him distrust Vivian from the beginning; his jealously compels him to set Vivian and quIRK against each other. Deciding that the ends justify the means, his power-hungry sabotage threatens to consume the entire station and send them into the unknown void of intergalactic space.

Vivian must struggle to survive not only Bryce’s megalomania, but also the emerging artificial super intelligence that is quIRK.

What's Interesting: Extra-Galactic Observatory! Update supercomputer, quIRK who becomes her friend! Having sentient AI though it's prohibited!

The Sword of Truth by Brian D. Anderson
Publisher: Mythos Press
Published: August 10th, 2012
From Goodreads:
Darkness comes as a new power rises in Angrääl. The Dark Knight has betrayed the Gods and stolen The Sword of Truth, trapping them in heaven. With the power of the Sword he can reshape the world and bring death to all who oppose him.

Only one thing stands between the darkness and the light. Gewey Stedding. Only he has the power to stand against the oncoming storm.

Only he can mend the world. But only if he can discover his power…. 

What's Interesting: Betraying the Gods and trapping them in Heaven! Reshaping the world! Finding the power that can beat the bad guy!

Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: June 18th, 2013
From Goodreads:
In the tradition of Scott Turow, William Landay, and Nelson DeMille, "Crime of Privilege" is a stunning thriller about power, corruption, and the law in America--and the dangerous ways they come together. 

A murder on Cape Cod. A rape in Palm Beach. 

All they have in common is the presence of one of America's most beloved and influential families. But nobody is asking questions. Not the police. Not the prosecutors. And certainly not George Becket, a young lawyer toiling away in the basement of the Cape & Islands district attorney's office. George has always lived at the edge of power. He wasn't born to privilege, but he understands how it works and has benefitted from it in ways he doesn't like to admit. Now, an investigation brings him deep inside the world of the truly wealthy--and shows him what a perilous place it is. 

Years have passed since a young woman was found brutally slain at an exclusive Cape Cod golf club, and no one has ever been charged. Cornered by the victim's father, George can't explain why certain leads were never explored--leads that point in the direction of a single family--and he agrees to look into it.

What begins as a search through the highly stratified layers of Cape Cod society, soon has George racing from Idaho to Hawaii, Costa Rica to France to New York City. But everywhere he goes he discovers people like himself: people with more secrets than answers, people haunted by a decision years past to trade silence for protection from life's sharp edges. George finds his friends are not necessarily still friends and a spouse can be unfaithful in more ways than one. And despite threats at every turn, he is driven to reconstruct the victim's last hours while searching not only for a killer but for his own redemption. 

What's Interesting: A powerful family using power to prevent justice! Fighting the privileged in a big mystery!

Love Unscripted by Tina Reber
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: January 1st, 2013
From Goodreads:
An A-List Movie Star…
Ryan Christensen just wanted to be an actor. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine a life where fans would chase him, paparazzi would stalk him, and Hollywood studios would want to own him. While filming in Seaport, Rhode Island, Ryan ducks into a neighborhood bar for a quick escape from legions of screaming fans…and finds much more than he expected.

A Small Town Girl…
Nursing a recent heartbreak, Taryn Mitchell believes men are best kept at a safe distance. But when Ryan Christensen unexpectedly bursts through the front door of her pub, she can’t help but be drawn in by his humor, charm, and undeniable good looks. At six foot two, with dirty blond hair, blue eyes, and an incredible body, Ryan has every girl in Seaport swooning. But Taryn isn’t every other girl.

A Relationship that Doesn’t Follow the Script…
Despite her better judgment, Taryn soon finds herself falling hard for Ryan. But is their bond strong enough to survive the tabloid headlines, the relentless paparazzi, and the jealous fans who seem determined to tear them apart?

What's Interesting: A guy with fame, but falling in love with someone without it! Falling in love!

A Taste of Heaven by by Meg Tilly
Publisher: Puffin
Published: February 12th, 2013
From Goodreads:
Madison Stokes leads a pretty average life: average mom and dad, average looks, average grades—well, maybe her little sister is MUCH brattier than average—but nothing out of the ordinary.

All that changes when quiet, secretive Alyssa Hawkins moves to town. When Madison takes Alyssa under her wing, the two girls quickly bond over chocolate-chip cookies and become best friends. Amazingly, Alyssa doesn't even mind Madison's bratty sister!

But there are some things Alyssa still won't share. Why won't she talk about her family? And why is she so reluctant to have Madison over to her house? She's harbouring a secret that could put their treasured friendship in jeopardy—and when Madison finds out by accident, Alyssa makes Madison promise not to tell anyone, not even Madison's parents.

But should Madison tell them anyway? When is it all right to tell a little white lie... and when should you come clean with the truth? 

What's Interesting: Families and friendships and secrets and lies!

Midnight Moon by Marilee Brothers
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Published: December 14th, 2012
From Goodreads:
The Trimarks are planning an invasion. And the only thing standing in their way is Allie and the moonstone.

All Allie wants is a normal life - friends, boys, school dances. Right. Like that's going to happen.

In two weeks, during the summer solstice, Allie's going to face the biggest challenge of her life, fighting against time to save the world from a Trimark invasion. You'd think the world of weird might leave her alone to plan how she's going to survive. But nothing in Allie's world is simple or easy, especially when she's attacked by Trimarks trying to steal the moonstone. Then Sammie disappears into the faery world of Boundless, and Allie must follow and bring her home, only to find the fairy queen, Luminata, isn't about to let Allie leave. So, what's a girl with magical powers supposed to do?

Fortunately, she has a team to help her, a team with special talents of their own.

What's Interesting: Invasion! Not getting a normal life! Biggest challenge of her life!

In Session by M.J. Rose
Publisher: Author Buzz
Published: September 20th, 2011
From Goodreads:
 3.57  ·   Rating Details  ·  355 Ratings  ·  74 Reviews
IN SESSION from international bestseller M.J. Rose, features the return of Dr. Morgan Snow, in a brand-new story collection!

As a therapist specializing in sexual issues, psychiatrist Dr. Morgan Snow isn’t easily shocked, as readers of the popular “Butterfield Institute” novels know. There are times, however, when the need for her services leads her out of the office…and into unfamiliar worlds.

What's Interesting: A shocked therapist specializing in sexual issues!


A Craving by Emily Arnold
Publisher: Spencerhill Associates
Published: November 27th, 2012
From Goodreads:
"It's a relief to see you looking yourself," her best friend said. Polly was shocked- who else had she seemed to be? The truth was devastating: She was a woman drinking around the clock, battling her husband, endangering her children, jeopardizing her career. And yet, there was no other way to get through the days, was there? Her terrible downward slide could stop only when she hit rock bottom and faced the hell of getting up again.

"Startling, compelling, clear-headed, eloquent." "a rare book...instead of telling one person's tale, A CRAVING achieves the universality of any good fiction"-Newsday

What's Interesting: A person hitting rock bottom, and then working to rise!

Strands of Deception by Robin Caroll
Publisher: B&H Books
Published: March 1st, 2013
From Goodreads:
When Gina Ford, the daughter of a prominent Tennessee politician, goes missing from the University of Memphis a week after another girl was murdered on the same campus, police call in the FBI. Nick Hagar, married to his job as Special Agent in Charge, is assigned to the case, and when Gina’s body is found, her father demands justice.

Maddie Baxter is the forensic expert running DNA tests from the crime scene. When they come back without a match, Nick asks her to do a familial DNA run that yields a shocking result: the prime suspect is Adam Alexander, the very same guy who broke Maddie’s heart when she was in college.


But do scientific advancements tell the whole story? Strand of Deception offers romance, suspense, and a lively debate about the impact of DNA testing, for better or worse, on the United States justice system.

What's Interesting: DNA testing and the impact of it on the US justice system! Who's the bad guy?!

Evil in All Its Disguises by Hilary Davidson
Publisher: Tor/Forge
Published: March 5th, 2013
From Goodreads:
Lily Moore joins a group of travel journalists for an all-expenses-paid press trip to Mexico’s famous resort town of Acapulco. But the city, once the playground of Hollywood stars, is a place of faded glamour and rising crime. When Lily arrives at the luxurious Hotel Cerón, she finds a resort that’s nearly deserted, a staff who waits attentively to serve guests who aren’t there, and abandoned construction projects on the grounds.

Lily’s fellow journalist, Skye McDermott, drops hints about an investigation she’s conducting. Skye, deeply upset at a lover who jilted her, is obsessed with getting revenge by exposing his company’s fraud and illegal activities. But when Skye suddenly disappears, Lily knows something is terribly wrong.

The hotel’s staff refuses to listen or to even contact the authorities, and Lily begins to suspect that Skye is in grave danger. Worse yet, as Lily herself tries to escape, she discovers she’s become a virtual prisoner in a gilded cage.

A deadly trap has been set, and Lily finds herself maneuvered into the role of bait. Faced with unthinkable choices, Lily must summon all her strength to survive and to save those she loves.

Anthony Award–winner Hilary Davidson weaves a thrilling story of paranoia, vengeance, and murder. 

What's Interesting: Mystery of the hotel and surrounding area! Revenge-seeker disappearing! Being the bait in a deadly trap!

The Battle of Verona by Justin Calderone
Publisher: Mythos Press
Published: August 12th, 2013
From Goodreads:
Sometimes even a geek can become a hero. Dennis and his friends have been LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) since high school. Now, in his 20s, Dennis is seriously considering giving up LARPing for good. He's tired of dealing with his overzealous friend Mark; he's tired of his older brother Brad's constant put-downs; and he's tired of the fact that he doesn't have a girlfriend. Check that. Not a girlfriend, but the girlfriend. Alyssa--the one woman he's been pining over for years. Dennis and his fellow LARPers have never been considered cool, in their small island community of Verona, located off the coast of Washington State. But all of that is about to change . . . 

While Dennis and his friends are attending a big LARP tournament on the mainland, a rogue terrorist group of Mongolians in medieval garb, led by an American madman, invade Verona and take its citizens hostage--including their families and friends. When the LARPers find out what's happening in their home-town, they do what any dedicated LARPer would do: they put on their armor, strap on their swords, and fight their way home--LARP-style!

What's Interesting: LARPing! Rogue group of Mongolians! And using their LARPing skills!

Severed Stone by Kelly Walker
Publisher: Kelley Walker
Published: June 8th, 2013
From Goodreads:
See how it all started in the first prequel of Souls of the Stones. Severed Stone will answer the question posed throughout the other books: How did the once united land separate?

Immortality is my prison. I broke the bonds of brotherhood because I once loved a girl whose hand was not as available as her heart. Cursed by the gods, I watch countless generations live with the consequences of my transgression. Even with the gift of foresight, I cannot say I would be strong enough to turn away if given the opportunity. And were she cursed to watch the destruction unfold by my immortal side, I would without a doubt make the same fated choices. But Tomorrow is a cruel mistress, and the first death I witnessed as part of my damnation was that of my beloved. -Fidwen Roth

Their story should have been a fairytale, but someone is playing a dangerous game that can only end in heartbreak.

When Ciorstan awakes alone in a field, far from home and more than a little confused, it won't be the strangest thing to happen that day. Ignoring both her intuition and a mysterious but handsome stranger's warning, she allows a dashing prince to take her home to his palace. 

Agreeing to marry the prince was her second mistake. 

Her next one will rip an entire kingdom apart. Sometimes, true love can be a tragedy with devastating consequences. 

What's Interesting: That he would be cursed to immortality, and his beloved died first! And that their relationship broke a united land!

Keeper of Reign by Emma Right
Publisher: Emma Right
Published: May 19th, 2013
From Goodreads:
Sixteen year old Jules Blaze, heir of a Keeper, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It's bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King's Books, penned with the Majesty's own blood, did not help ward off this anathema. Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle's agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.

What's Interesting: A forgotten secret! Being cursed to be an inch tall!

The Annihilation of Foreverland by Tony Bertauski
Publisher: DeadPixel Publications
Published: February 16th, 2013
From Goodreads:
When kids awake on an island, they’re told there was an accident. Before they can go home, they will visit Foreverland, an alternate reality that will heal their minds.

Reed dreams of a girl that tells him to resist Foreverland. He doesn’t remember her name, but knows he once loved her. He’ll have to endure great suffering and trust his dream. And trust he’s not insane.

Danny Boy, the new arrival, meets Reed’s dream girl inside Foreverland. She’s stuck in the fantasy land that no kid can resist. Where every heart’s desire is satisfied. Why should anyone care how Foreverland works? 

What's Interesting: Foreverland, where your dreams come true! And having to resist, that it's a trap! 

A Million Little Snowflakes by Logan Byrne
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Published: September 16th, 2013
From Goodreads:
Oliver Hurst has always been abnormally normal.

His grades are horrible, his best friend just left for Utah, and he's depressed. His overly religious parents don’t help, especially since they control every facet of his life. One stupid sentence said in desperation gets Oliver tossed in an adolescent psych ward, where his depression and fears become even more of a reality.

When Oliver meets snide, tough girl Lacey Waters he doesn't think his life could get any better, that is, until she becomes the ray of sunshine he has desperately needed on his cloudiest of days.

What's Interesting: Having a normal life, and then meeting a girl that brings energy and life to what he's been living!

Nightmare in Nicevill by Amberle Cianne
Publisher: Boutique of Quality Books
Published: October 1st, 2011
From Goodreads:
Lily Strykes is a typical teenage girl, who, along with her mother and younger sister, settles into a comfortably predictable lifestyle in the quiet little town of Niceville, Florida. But hidden in their past is something dark. A fun night out with friends takes an unexpected and terrifying turn as her previous life quickly catches up to her. Lily's routine but peaceful existence, as well as those of her family and friends, is turned upside down in a matter of hours when a figure from her violent past suddenly returns.

What's Interesting: Having a dark, hidden past! Having her old life catch up to her! A violent old life!

OK, this isn't all the pages of books on NetGalley I have, but I'm too tired to do all the pages!

And next week's theme is going to be More than One Word in the Title!

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