New York to Dallas

New York to Dallas - J.D. Robb - 2011 (Kindle)

Blurb ....
In the mid-twenty-first century, NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas is facing possibly her worst nemesis yet: paperwork. Just as Eve finds herself wishing for a murder that would spring her from paperwork hell, something worse comes along.

Isaac McQueen - a violent pedophile Eve took down not long after she became a police officer - has escaped prison. McQueen seems more than eager to get back to raping and torturing young girls, but he's added an additional target to his list: Eve. McQueen's sick cat-and-mouse game will take Eve and her husband Roarke from New York to Dallas, where the demons of Eve's past will collide with the terrifying danger that taking down McQueen presents.

The hunter

The Hunter by Tom Wood - 2011


Blurb ....
Forget James Bond.
Forget Jason Bourne.
Forget Jack Bauer.
Meet Victor.


He's an assassin - a man with no past and no surname. But when a Paris job goes spectacularly wrong, Victor finds himself running for his life across four continents, accompanied by a woman too beautiful to trust, pursued by enemies too powerful to escape.
This is Tom Wood's first novel and has just finished writing the 2nd installment to Victor's adventures. I really enjoyed this story and it had me wondering just what is really going on in our world. Just how many 'spies' and contract killers are out there doing their 'thing' while we blissfully go along with our lives? I must admit I didn't like what Woods had done to the Rachel character, just when things were getting really interesting. Not Happy! Anyway, I can highly recommend this story if you love fast paced, gripping, edge of your seat action.

Visit Tom's site: http://www.tomwoodbooks.com/

Unlocked

Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave - 2011

Blurb ....
Andy is the janitor's son, an outcast, a nobody. Then the rumor starts-that Blake has a gun in his locker. In a moment of misguided hopefulness, Andy steals the keys from his dad and opens up Blake's locker, hoping that finding the gun will change his own status. But the gun isn't there and Andy remains an outcast. When an unlikely friendship develops between the two loners, Blake shares most of his secrets with Andy, including the gun. But there's one secret that worries Andy more than anything-the date circled on Blake's calendar. Does Blake have something planned? Something that Andy can prevent? In a fascinating look at how teens deal with the now constant threat of school violence, debut author Ryan G. Van Cleave provides a unique, emotional perspective on how it feels to be the one who can prevent a tragedy.


This verse novel is set in a junior high school in America.  It is based around 2 boys and how they deal with their 'social status'. One boy Andy is on the 'outer' and desperately wants to belong.  Blake however has purposely distanced himself from his peers since the death of his father in Iraq. Then one day the rumour starts. Does Blake have a gun in his locker?? And if the answer is yes, why does he?? Is Andy brave enough to find out?? This contemporary story is powerful and even though it is a quick read Andy and Blake will stay with you for days to come.

Visit Ryan's site: http://www.ryangvancleave.com/

Graffiti moon

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - 2010

Honour Award of The Children's Book Council of Australia, YA 2011

Blurb ....
Lucy is in love with Shadow, a mysterious graffiti artist.
Ed thought he was in love with Lucy, until she broke his nose.
Dylan loves Daisy, but throwing eggs at her probably wasn't the best way to show it. Jazz and Leo are slowly encircling each other.
An intense and exhilarating 24 hours in the lives of four teenagers on the verge: of adulthood, of HSC, of finding out just who they are, and who they want to be.

For me this story took a bit to warm up, however, once it did it was on a roll. It's aimed at 17 to 18 year olds by the use of its contemporary language and subject matter with the ups and downs of relationships. I really liked this story.

Cath Crowley takes you on a journey looking through the eyes of it two main characters, Lucy and Ed. So each chapter is seen through Lucy's eye's then the next through Ed's. The story begins on the last day of Year 12 and the events that unfold throughout the night and finishes the next morning. Basically, Lucy wants to meet the elusive Shadow, a graffiti artist whose work really speaks to Lucy, and spends her night trying to find him. Ed however, is doing his best making sure she doesn't. I'm not going to spoil the story and tell you what happens, you will just have to read it to find out!!

Visit Cath's site: http://cathcrowley.com.au/