The Dead Girls' Dance - Book Review

The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires #2)
by Rachel Caine

What is it about:
Claire Danvers has her share of challenges---like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains, dealing with the homicidal girls in her dorm, and above all, finding out that her college town is overrun with vampires. On the up side, she has a great roommate (who tends to disappear at sunup) and a new boyfriend named Shane, whose vampire-hunting dad has called in backup: cycle punks who like the idea of killing just about anything.

Now a fraternity is throwing its annual Dead Girls' Dance and---surprise!---Claire and her equally outcast best friend, Eve, have been invited. When they find out why, all hell is going to break loose. Because this time both the living and the dead are coming out---and everybody's hungry for blood.

What did I think of it:
I know! After the very annoying and unnecessary cliffhanger in book one I stated I wouldn't continue to read this series. But Rachel Caine does write entertaining books, and I could get book two and three in this series really cheap. so I caved!

And this is yet another entertaining read.

This book felt a bit more solid than the first book. Claire and her friends seemed to be acting more their age, and the story flowed more logically in my opinion. And: no unnecessary cliffhanger this time.

I did grumble a bit about the fact it was pointed out that when Eve wasn't wearing her Goth clothing, she looked cute. You don't need to be pastel-colored to be cute! Goths can be very cute as well! But apart from that this was a fun read.

I will read book three for sure, as it's already in my tbr-pile, but I think I can safely say I will also continue this series after book three.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and entertaining Paranormal YA read.

Allegiance - Release Day Alert

Today is the official release date of Allegiance, the fourth book in the awesome Penton Legacy series. Go get your copy today, and keep an eye on my blog for a guest post by Susannah Sandlin later this week!


Allegiance (Penton Legacy #4)
by Susannah Sandlin

British vampire psychiatrist and former mercenary Cage Reynolds returns to Penton, Alabama, looking for a permanent home. The town has been ravaged by the ongoing vampire war and the shortage of untainted human blood, and now the vampires and humans that make up the Omega Force are trying to rebuild. Cage hopes to help the cause, put down roots in Penton, and resolve his relationship with Melissa Calvert. The last thing he expects is an attraction to Robin Ashton, a trash-talking eagle shape-shifter and new Omega recruit.

Meanwhile, as a dangerous saboteur wreaks havoc in Penton, the ruthless Vampire Tribunal leader Matthias Ludlam has been freed on the eve of his scheduled execution. But by whom? And to what end? As war and chaos rage on, love is the last thing Cage is looking for, but will his attraction to Robin distract him from the danger living among them?

Interview with J.R. Johansson + Giveaway - Paranoia Blog tour

June 8th was the release date of Paranoia, the second book in the Night Walkers series by J.R. Johansson. I loved the first book, Insomnia, so I was happy when J.R. Johansson let me be part of the blog tour for Paranoia. (I'm also stalking my mailmen at the moment for the arrival of my preordered copy of Paranoia)

Read on for info about Paranoia, an interview with J.R. Johansson, and a giveaway:


With Every Night of Blissful Sleep Darkness Grows Inside Him.

In the aftermath of the events that nearly killed him, Parker Chipp is trying to learn to cope better with life as a Watcher. And it seems to be working...until he wakes up in jail with a hangover and 12 hours of missing time. Darkness has somehow taken control and Parker doesn't have a clue how to stop him. He finds an unlikely ally in Jack, the mysterious guy in the motorcycle jacket who offers to help Parker master his abilities as a Watcher. But even as they practice, the darkness inside Parker is getting more and more powerful, taking over Parker’s body and doing everything he can to destroy Parker's life.

When Jack reveals that there is another kind of Night Walker, known as a Taker, Parker starts to wonder if the strange things happening in Oakville are more than just a coincidence. After all, people are more than just sleepwalking. They're emptying their savings accounts with no memory of doing so, wandering into strange parts of town and disappearing, they're even killing other people--all in their sleep. If Parker wants to find out what's happening or have any hope of seeing his father again, he’ll have to defy Jack and put his own life in danger...because the more he learns about these other Night Walkers, the more certain he becomes that his life isn't the only one that could be lost.

What people are saying about The Night Walkers series:

“The perfect blend of everything I love in a story. I hope a sequel comes soon!”
–James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of THE MAZE RUNNER

“Completely unputdownable. I’ve decided to nickname Johansson: Scary McScarypants, because she spooked me in all the best ways.”
–Carrie Harris, author of BAD TASTE IN BOYS

“Cleverly written and dangerously dark, Insomnia will take you to the brink of insanity. A must-read for thriller and romance fans alike.”
—Elana Johnson, author of POSSESSION

“A riveting story of terror and despair that will keep you up long past your bedtime.”
—Jennifer Bosworth, author of STRUCK

"This is a really suspenseful and enticing read."
-Sullivan McPig, blogger and reader

Buy Paranoia:
The Book Depository - Indiebound
Books A Million - Barnes & Noble - Amazon

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Interview:


Welcome to Pearls Cast Before A McPig!
Could you tell a bit about yourself for those people who don’t know you yet?

Sure! I am a young adult thriller author and my debut novel, INSOMNIA came out in June 2013 with Flux books. This blog tour is for the sequel, PARANOIA. It’s been kind of a crazy awesome ride for me the last couple of years. This series (The Night Walkers) has sold in eight languages around the world. I have another 2-book-deal with FSG/Macmillan that sold at auction last year. The first book with FSG, CUT ME FREE, is a contemporary urban thriller that will be released January 27, 2015.

Oh, and I really like football and hot tubs...and board games. :-)

What can you tell us about your books?

My books are a little varied in topic and theme, but they have a thriller undercurrent that seems to run through everything I’ve written. I also try to keep the pacing tight and fast and drag the readers along. If I was going to give my books some kind of commercial tagline it would be: Tense Taut Thrillers.

Have you ever used people you know as characters in your books?

I have never used people I know in my books. I often use names that I like. Parker from INSOMNIA and Cam from CUT ME FREE are both named after my sons. I also steal traits sometimes. I saw a man in line at a grocery store once who couldn’t stop rubbing his thumb across this metal thing he held in his palm. I still don’t know what it was, but I ended up using it in a book at one point.

Where can you be found when you’re not at your desk writing?

I love playing racquetball with my family and throwing the football with my boys in the back yard. I can also be found at a couple of Green Bay Packers games a year, yelling, “Go Pack Go!” at the top of my lungs. Or sometimes in my hot tub named Valentino.

What did you do to celebrate the release of your first book?

I took my mom and sister on a “Girls Cruise” and on release day I went to a very nice restaurant with my husband and parents.

What authors have been an influence to you? And have you read any books lately that you want to share with us or have you been too busy with writing to read?

So many authors have influenced me, but to name a couple: Stephen King, R.L. Stine and Jane Austen. Some great books I’ve read recently: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch (October 2014 release), All The Truth That’s In Me by Julie Berry, The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain and Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson. They’re all fantastic and VASTLY different books.

I will have to check out some of those books.

Last question:
Are there zombies or pigs in any of your books or will there be any in future books?

No...but now I BADLY want there to be. I feel like there could be. This should happen. I think I wanted to do this at some point and forgot. Clearly this was a mistake and should be remedied as soon as humanly possible.

Thank you so much for hosting me for this interview! It was so much fun!

Thanks for dropping by and answering my questions. I loved having you here.

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About J.R. Johansson:
J.R. JOHANSSON is a young adult thriller author. Her books INSOMNIA, PARANOIA (June 2014), and a third untitled book (June 2015) are with Flux Books. CUT ME FREE (Winter 2015) and another untitled book (Winter 2016) will be coming out with FSG/Macmillan.  She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. When she's not writing, she loves reading, playing board games, and sitting in her hot tub. Her dream is that someday she can do all three at the same time. She has two young sons and a wonderful husband. In fact, other than her cat, Cleo, she's nearly drowning in testosterone.

Jenn’s Links:
Twitter - Blog - Site
Tumblr - Facebook Page
J.R. Johansson on Goodreads

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Tour Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deck Z - Book Review

Deck Z: The Titanic: Unsinkable. Undead.
by Chris Pauls and Matt Solomon

What is it about:
Imagine being trapped aboard the doomed Titanic on an icy Atlantic. . . with the walking dead.

This fast-paced thriller reimagines the historical events of the fateful Titanic voyage through the lens of zombie mayhem. Captain Edward Smith and his inner circle desperately try to contain a weaponized zombie virus smuggled on board with the 2,200 passengers sailing to New York. Faced with an exploding population of lumbering, flesh-hungry undead, Smith's team is forced into bloody hand-to-hand combat down the narrow halls of the huge steamer.

In its few short days at sea, the majestic Titanic turns into a Victorian bloodbath, steaming at top speed toward a cold, blue iceberg. A creepy, tense page-turner, Deck Z will thrill zombie fans and Titanic buffs alike.

What did I think of it:
Zombies and The Titanic!

I will confess I both wanted to read this book, and feared it. Especially after reading Carpathia (The Carpathia and vampires) by Matt Forbeck and not being able to finish it, because it annoyed me too much.

But zombies do have a way of luring me in, so I gave Deck Z a try.

And this book is awesome!

From the start I was gripped by the story and eager to find out how Pauls and Solomon would mix history with zombies. The story doesn't start on the Titanic, but leads up to it. I was fearing that once the Titanic would enter the story I would be disappointed by how it would be used.

But I had nothing to fear. Pauls and Solomon use the Titanic in such a way that even with all my knowledge of the Titanic I didn't get annoyed by their bending of the actual facts.

There's just enough historical facts to get the sense of the Titanic, and more than enough cool zombie mayhem to keep this piggy entertained. I loved how Pauls and Solomon turn Captain Smith into a zombie-slaying hero, assisted by Thomas Andrews. Once the mayhem really got going I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.

The one point of critique I have is the portrayal of Bruce Ismay. As ever he's the scapegoat, and only because he survived the sinking. I can advice anyone to pick up Shadow of the Titanic: The Extraordinary Stories of Those Who Survived by Andrew Wilson for a more nuanced view on Ismay.

But that little point of critique aside: Deck Z is a great read that I can advice to anyone who likes an action-packed story with lots of zombie mayhem.

Why should you read it:
Zombie Mayhem on the Titanic!

Titanic: 7 Days That Shocked the World - Book Review

Titanic: 7 Days That Shocked the World
by Stephen Hines

What is it about:
News of the Titanic's catastrophic sinking, days after her maiden voyage, shocked the world. The public was frantic for information and answers, and the London Daily Telegraph, the largest circulating newspaper in the world at the time, was charged with the task of relaying what exactly had happened to the luxury liner. But with false reports abounding and no access to survivors, that task was easier said than done.

Read how a paper, and the world, struggled to find and report the truth of the most disastrous maritime accident in history.

What did I think of it:
This is a really good read.

This book contains the newspaper articles the London Daily Telegraph posted about the sinking of the Titanic. It starts with messages like 'No Lives Were Lost', but slowly the real news trickles in and the tone of the articles changes.

It's strange to realize how much the world has changed in just a little over a 100 years. Back in 1912 it was difficult to get news fast. The London Daily Telegraph, eager to bring her readers news, jumps to conclusions and follows false leads. It's fascinating to read how in just seven days the news stories they print change. How after the first shock they start looking for explantions and someone to blame.

All in all this is a very interesting read, that gave me a new insight on how the world experienced the sinking of the Titanic. It will get its place in my collection of Titanic books.

Why should you read it:
If you're interested in the Titanic, this is a must read.

The One - Book Review

The One (The Selection #3)
by Kiera Cass

What is it about:
The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

What did I think of it:
After two sugary Disney-flavored books ,this one turns a bit darker.

I will confess I enjoyed this book much more than the second book in this trilogy. This is for large part because Aspen plays a smaller role again and isn't as annoying as he was in The Elite. America and Maxon made me want to kick them at times, but overall they too were less annoying.

The rebels play a larger role and finally some things become clear, while others are still kept in the dark and made no sense.

There were some things that you could see coming from miles away. It was clear to me for example, why suddenly the bitchy girl was painted in a more positive light. I also had a feeling about some of the big events in this book. Other events came as a surprise, I will confess.

Overall this is a very enjoyable book, and I was satisfied with how it ended.

This whole trilogy is entertaining and I will certainly reread it when I'm in the mood for something light and sweet. I might even try other books by Cass in the future.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Dystopian YA fairytale.

On McPig's Wishlist - Sign of the Throne

I really like the cover of this book, and the story sounds very intriguing as well.


Sign of the Throne (The Solas Beir Trilogy #1)
by Melissa Eskue Ousley

Abby is an ordinary girl haunted by dreams of an ivory castle, blood-thirsty monsters, and a striking stranger. Working as a babysitter for a family of mythology lovers in wealthy Newcastle Beach, California, she struggles to define herself among the elite class while trying to make sense of her strange visions. Upon meeting David, the doppelgänger of the mysterious young man in her dreams, Abby’s life is changed forever.

Encountering the queen of Cai Terenmare, a magical kingdom in a parallel world, Abby learns of an evil lord hell-bent on usurping the throne, the murder of Cai Terenmare’s king, the Solas Beir, and the kidnapping of the Solas Beir’s infant son.

As the kingdom struggles to endure, the queen shows Abby the full extent of her destiny. She must convince her mysterious crush, David, that he is the lost heir. While braving attacks from the dark lord’s sadistic minions, David must realize his true identity and return to Cai Terenmare to claim his throne before time runs out, lest the evil that was temporarily locked away be unleashed, threatening to destroy both the kingdom and all of humanity.