Book Review....Untraceable

Untraceable by S.R. Johannes

Release date: November 29th

Publisher: Coleman & Stott

I received an ARC from author

Book description:

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. 

When Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. After finding a Cheetos bag and stolen government file, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy who has an intoxicating accent and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged, Wyn. 

After a few run-ins with the town's police chief, her father's partner, and some new evidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. 

Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.

First off...I love the gorgeous cover. Untraceable starts off with Grace looking for clues about her father after everyone else gave up. She refuses to believe she will never see him again and to the annoyance of the town sheriff she is keeping the investigation alive.

I have to admit, it is not very often I read a book that isn't fantasy or paranormal. Most stories that don't have some sort of supernatural entity do not interest me. This book definitely is the exception and I really enjoyed it. Grace is brave in ways I could only dream of being. She's a gutsy person and an extremely likable character. While out in the woods looking for clues she meets super cute Mo. It wasn't long before I was wanting to see a relationship between them unfold.

The descriptions given to us makes Grace's world very easy to picture. It made me want to grab a fishing pole (to bad I don't actually fish) and run out into the wilderness and enjoy all it's glory. The story is fast paced and the way it all tied together in the end was a whirl wind ride I never saw coming.

 Shelli is a terrific writer. What makes me like the story so much is that it made me feel real emotions. I really cared about Grace and those surrounding her.

Untraceable is a wilderness thriller in every sense and I recommend you read this book.

The Hunger Games HD Theatrical Trailer

This trailer gave me the chills. I will definitely see this movie opening weekend. As totally awesome as this looks I am trying to remain calm about it. Everyone keeps saying it will knock Twilight of its throne. I don't want this movie to get built up in my mind so much that no matter how good it is it doesn't live up to expectations.

The Hunger Games is one of my all time favorite books and from the looks of the trailer the movie is going to live up to its legacy.

And introducing...S.R. Johannes

Click here for dates and topics of blog tour.

Before I post my review I wanted to give you the chance to meet Shelli Johannes. She is an extremely talented  author and I was lucky enough to read an ARC of her latest novel Untraceable.

Book Title:

Untraceable, The Nature of Grace, #1

Release Date:

Tuesday, Nov 29th

Publisher:

Coleman & Stott

Author Bio:

Shelli Johannes-Wells started out writing for her local school paper, winning a state Nutrition essay contest for “Be a Smart Cookie”, and singing in a local Jazz band. Somewhere along the way, she earned an MBA in Marketing and embarked on an 18-year marketing career in Corporate America working as a marketing and communications consultant.

In 2000, Shelli traded in her expensive suits, way-too high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, and continues creating materials for a variety of large profit and nonprofit clients, including Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick Filet, Delta, CARE, and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Shelli’s dream is to publish children’s books and magically imprint the imaginations of kids. In addition to juggling nap schedules while attending client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent marketing speaker at SCBWI conferences across the U.S and runs a popular marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com) where she provides marketing advice for authors in the hopes of helping them better market their words.

In her spare time (yeah right!) and if the kids allow (yeah right!), Shelli obsesses over movies, reads children’s books (over and over), wishes she could squeeze in Bikram Yoga sessions, and dreams of sleeping in on the weekends.

She currently lives in Atlanta with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess that someday will change the world.

Shelli took the time to answer a few questions for her adoring and future fans.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

Oprah, Steve Jobs, Ghandi, Dali Lama, Joan of Ark

Maybe Brad Pitt or Keanu Reeves – but that would be for breakfast - ha!!

If you were a superhero what would your name be?

SuperScribe (I would be the dorky superhero who beats people with words)

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Don’t give up and go with your gut!

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

A new young adult wilderness thriller with a missing father, a kickbutt heroine, and of course - two hot 

boys.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? 

There is a special edition coming in Jan/Feb with a different ending and the first 5 chapters of the next book.I do have a second book planned – Uncontrollable set in the winter.

Shelli has a great blog where she talks about books, being a writer and my favorite, her journey to publication. She is very open and honest and fun to read. Reading about her journey has been a huge source of inspiration for me and my journey as a writer.

Sign up for Shelli's newsletter and you will be able to get Untraceable at a discount for the first 24 hours of release. 

Author newsletter - http://blogspot.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=114def4ad4e805b98ea071bff&id=68312804dc

Tune back in on Monday for my review and cover reveal for Untraceable. 

Snow White and the Huntsman movie trailer!

This movie looks super cool. I am a little worried about Kristen Stewart in this role but I absolutely love Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron.  Enjoy.

This is one of two Snow White movies coming out. Between Grimm and Once Upon a Time (which I love by the way) we are really getting hit with the classic fairy tale remakes. What other classic would you like to see hit the big screen?

On My Shelf

Look... I actually have real books to add to my shelf. I've really embraced my Kindle and have not been to a brick and mortar store since my local Borders went bye-bye.

As you can see I got "The Son of Neptune" and I bought it at Costco. *gasp* I know...Costco...but what's a girl to do? It is part two of The Heroes of Olympus series. In efforts to avoid spoilers I did not read one single thing about this book before buying it. I figured we would get to follow Piper, Leo and Jason's journey so I was a little surprised to see we are following Percy Jackson. I'm a little disappointed though, I don't want to wait another year before I find out what happens to the trio I fell in love with in book 1.

From Barnes & Nobel I got "Matched" by Ally Condie. It is a YA dystopian and the first in a trilogy. It was released November of 2010 but with the recent release of Crossed, book 2, I remembered how much I have been wanting to read it. Plus I love the cover.

I also got a book on Wiccan spells, Druid power and their relation to the Fay and a book about supernatural beasts and their impact on today's society. All in the name of research of course. *smiles like Cheshire cat*

Now from Amazon I am impatiently waiting for "Inheritance" by Christopher Paolini. It is book four in a series that started in 2003. I love love love this series. I should have it in my mitts by this weekend. *crosses fingers*

Also, this post is some what of an experiment. I found a handy little Blogger app in the iTunes store and composed this entire article on my beloved iPhone. As I write this I have no idea what sort of  format it will take once posted. Depending on what it looks like I may or may not be doing this again via iPhone. I have just been so busy at home editing my manuscript I thought I could save some time by sneaking this in during the day.

What books have you added to your shelf lately?

Favorite Cover Reveals of the Week

Last week was a good week for cover reveals. I picked these two to share because they are both for books that I am very excited to read. Plus they are both gorgeous.

Endlessly by Kiersten White is book three of the Paranormalcy series, scheduled for release July 24th 2012.  I am currently listening to Supernaturally on Audible and really enjoy this series. Look for my review on Supernaturally in upcoming weeks.

Destined by Aprilynne Pike is book four in the Wings series, scheduled for release April 28th 2012. I was a little disappointed with the ending of Illusions (book 3) so I am hoping this book will restore my faith in the series. I have a minor crush on Tamani and I hope things work out to his favor in the conclusion of the series.

An interesting thing about the title Destined. Doing a quick search on this title I found 9 other books with the same title.  Aprilynne mentioned on her blog that she and her team knew this title was shared with other books
including the newly released book 9 of the House of Night series. She said they figure since there is a significant gap in between release dates and that the stories were different enough from each other, fans should not be confused between the two.

That help led me to my most recent revelation. I have been tossing around different titles for the last year and have not really found one that sticks. Every time I thought I liked one I would do a  search and more often than not I would find it being used. So I figure if sharing title names is good enough for established, published authors I can do it to.

So here it it folks, the big reveal.  The title I have chosen for book one of the Eternal Elements series is ...... Jaded.