Mind Your Minders

Almost a month ago, I received notification that I had won a signed copy this book from Christina's Confessions of a Book Addict giveaway. After confirming my entry, she passed along my information to the author so she could mail me a copy directly.

The next day, I had a Facebook Friend confirmation from none other than the author, Kate Kaynak. Upon learning that I have a book-review blog, she was curious if I'd be interested in receiving and reviewing the 2nd book as well. How could I say no?

Of course, while I'm grateful for receiving signed copies of both books, my excitement at receiving them has passed, leaving me with a level mind. Both reviews will be impartial and honest.

And, as always, this review contains no spoilers.

~Minder~
Ganzfield Novels
Book 1
By Kate Kaynak
Amazon ~ Powell's

Maddie doesn't know how she did it. She didn't use a gun, a knife, or any weapon at all. All she knows is that one moment the three boys were stripping her clothes off, and the next they were all dead.

After the trauma of her abduction and her attackers' inexplicable deaths, no criminal system could punish her as much as she does herself. However, much to her surprise, instead of facing criminal charges Maddie is recruited into the Ganzfield Training Program.

Located on a remote campus in New Hampshire, Ganzfield is a school for children with very special abilities. There are the charms, those gifted with verbally induced mind-control, who pretty much rule the school; sparks, or pyrokinetics, can control, summon, and extinguish fires; RV's, remote viewers, can find anyone or anything no matter the distance; healers speed up the body's own restoration processes; and minders, or telepaths, can hear people's thoughts and feelings.

Maddie is a minder, one of only four in the school, and she's definitely making a strong first-impression. It's only been a few hours and she's already started to topple the charm-imposed social order. But mixing things up doesn't win many friendships, especially when everyone knows she can hear their thoughts. In a high-school populated by super-powered teens, can Maddie survive alone? Or will she have to?

I know what you're thinking—or, rather Maddie does. You think this is all crazy. There aren't such things as telepathy or fire-starters or mind-control. Well, maybe that's just what they want you to think.


Let me first say that I absolutely loved this story. It took a little while to warm into, but once Maddie found her voice, I couldn't get enough. Read the whole thing in one sitting.

Design Updates

I'm thinking of changing some things.

You see, I've noticed a wee bit of scroll-lag,
and I'm none too happy about it.

You may have already noticed some small tweaks here and there:
Changing some headers,
Condensing some links,
Removing a badge,
Etcetera.

But the lag is still here.

About the only thing left is the template design.

So, since I'm going to be changing things anyway,
I'd like a little input from You, the reader.

How's the color-scheme?
Is there enough space?
Is the title-image too large?
Do you want boxes in the sidebar?
Corners or round-offs?

Now's your chance to leave your two cents.
Just leave me a comment below
and a week from today I'll officially start the renovations (big or small).

P.S. For more feedback fun, check out my polls at the bottom of the page!

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren

In the past month I've...


Borrowed

A Wizard of Mars (Book & Audiobook) ~ Diane Duane
Artemis Fowl 4 & 6 (Audiobooks) ~ Eoin Colfer
From My Library

Bought

Magic Bites ~ Ilona Andrews
Brisingr ~ Christopher Paolini
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ~ J.K. Rowling
From Jan's Paperbacks

Recieved

Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race ~ Jon Stewart & The Daily Show
From My Dad

And Won

Signed & Personalized Copies of Minder & Adversary ~ Kate Kaynak
From Christina of Confessions of a Book Addict
And Kate Kaynak of Disgruntled Bear

It's Not Paranoia If They Really Are Out To Get You...

Gasp!

Two posts?!

In the same day?!

After 3 weeks of nothing?!

WHAT IS SHE THINKING?!

Well, I'm thinking that in addition to my latest book review, I'd probably best explain my absence. It's only fair, right?

Besides the obvious burn-out that occurred following my 26 days of posts, I didn't really have a reason not to post. Sure, my ideas weren't amazing/spectacular/awe-inspiring, but they were passable. And my fingers hadn't been gnawed off in the interim.

But, I was a little under the weather. Not health-wise (except for 2 days), but mental-wise.

I'm still a little afraid to say it...but I was...depressed.

But, because I'm looking for a job, I couldn't tell anyone, I couldn't show anyone, and God forbid I come off as a little unenthusiastic one day.

With employers scanning the internet for 'background checks' and anything else that can be used against you, I've got to be extra careful in crafting my status updates, tweets, and yes, even blog posts.

So, in short, I apologize for my recent absence, but I only had our best interests in mind. You probably didn't need to hear whining or mopey sentiments, and I couldn't risk potential bosses thinking I'm not upbeat and enthusiastic.

Still, the job search continues, but I'll try to crank out book reviews a little more regularly.

The Good, The Bad, And...Frannie?!

~Personal Demons~
Personal Demons
Book 1
By Lisa Desrochers
Amazon ~ Powell's

I first received this book from a GoodReads ARC giveaway about a month ago. Being the procrastinator I am, I planned to review it before the release date, but other commitments were edging it out. So, after putting it off for a few weeks, I was finally about to crack down and read it...when I spied it on the shelves at my local Borders! Apparently the bookstores weren't quite clear on the official release date. So, of course I bought it immediately.

Now that the book was out in the world, I knew I needed to crack down and get the book read. Still, since the deadline had passed, it wasn't pressing on my mind as much as it had been...which I knew was a mistake. Finally, this weekend I cleared my schedule and faced these Personal Demons...