Elixir by Hilary Duff If you pry open this book thinking it will be a mushy come-together-break-apart-and-come-together-again love story with clichéd twists and turns long used up by the imagination-exhausted film industry, think again. Sure, there’s some romance, smooching, and passenger-seat action, but that is far from the main story. Surprisingly, former Lizzie McGuire actress Hilary Duff delivers an interesting, though borderline cheesy story based around a young girl in the spotlight (hmm…) named Clea whose photos since birth contain a handsome, seemingly ageless man who has begun to haunt - or rather enhance - her dreams. Chasing this ghost, who may possibly be linked to her assumed-dead father, Clea and her best friend/potential love interest Ben venture down to Rio, where she comes face to face with the man of her dreams. At this point, this could’ve turned into a very interesting ghost-beyond-the-grave time-shifting sort of tale that would’ve kept the reader breathless and guessing until the very end. However, Duff decided on giving it a turn with fables, immortality and a centuries-old dust magnet hanging out in a mall. If the story stuck with history-based haunts and paranormal-tinged mystery, it would’ve been all-out riveting; however, it’s still a pretty good afternoon beach read. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Hilary Duff: Simon & Schuster

Divergent by Veronica Roth Upon turning 16, her decision to switch virtuous factions throws Beatrice Prior into a world far separated from the one she's known, without her family or any indication of what's to come. Little does she know that her powerful ability to control her fears could become the key element that could rip the government's five factions apart. Though reminiscent of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, with a strong-willed female lead, Divergent is a story all its own, with unexpected twists and a lightning-fast speed that makes you crave more. The characters are deep, emotionally complex beings with untold back stories just itching to be revealed, and Beatrice's romantic relationship with one of them is sensual and sexy, but still appropriate for its intended audience. An addictive read with hopefully many sequels to come. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Veronica Roth

Dog On It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery by Spencer Quinn A private detective is presented a case of what appears to be a simple teenage runaway and a panicked parent, but as the desert-based P.I. suspects something more sinister is at play, he becomes involved enough to put himself in the crosshairs of the perpetrators. Oh, and did I mention the story is told by his just-a-cat-shy-of-graduated police dog Chet? It would be a simple detective mystery with no outstanding qualities if it wasn’t for the perspective of Bernie’s highly-intelligent and –loyal, but easily distracted, pooch, who brings all kinds of hilarity and hi-jinks to the mix. It’s hard not to roar in laughter at Chet’s accurate retelling of human conversation, but way-off interpretations, along with the minor distractions that leap into his narration, like the errant tree that needs marking or dog treat that needs gobbling. Chet’s loyalty is inspiring, though, as he, through all means at his disposal (including hitching a ride with burly bikers), never fails in making his way to Bernie’s side to come to his aid. The first in, if this book is any indication, a wonderful, delightfully hilarious series with suspense, warmth, and dog biscuits. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Chet the Dog

Spyder Hole by Bob Nesoff September 11, 2001 was a date that changed the course of the world as mankind knew it, affecting every relationship and tie the USA had with the rest of the world. And the fact that former Green Beret Dan Halevi could’ve done something to stop the attack hasn’t been a light weight on his mind. But when both New York and London are threatened by a nuclear attack, Halevi sees ahead of him a path of redemption…even at the risk of everything he’s known. Just like a Tom Clancy novel, the suspense is in no shortage. However, Nesoff, a former Green Beret himself, writes as though he is sculpting a blockbuster action script, which unfortunately lacks some of the specificity and detail required for a gripping, executable story and novel. That lack of followability unfortunately dilutes the effect the described events have, those of which are terrifyingly current, straight out of the headlines, and heart-stoppingly powerful. A brave, influential piece with great potential. (Available in paperback, Kindle eBook and NOOK Book) Review Posted: PaperBackSwap, Amazon Author Website: Spyder Hole

Termination Orders: Code Name Cobra by Leo J. Maloney & Caio Camargo In this fast-paced, action-packed thriller by first-time novelist and former Black Ops agent Leo J. Maloney, Dan Morgan, in an attempt to keep his family safe and protected from his past experiences in Black Ops, temporarily appeases the CIA in response to his close teammate Peter Conley’s death. But once interpreting the circumstances of his death via a coded message Conley, codenamed Cougar, has posthumously left him, Morgan, a.k.a. Cobra, jets off to find out the truth, starting a conspiratorial manhunt of epic proportions, putting himself, Peter, and his wife and daughter in the crosshairs. Termination Orders spans the globe in a whirlwind of events that twist the storyline every which way, creating and sustaining the suspense and attention-grabbing action Tom Clancy novels are made of. Leo’s personal experience in Black Ops gives him a knee-up on the competition, though, as he relays a deep connection to the events , bumping up the impact and the reader’s caring for the characters. For a debut novel, Maloney hits it out of the park and leaves the story just open enough for a possible sequel or Dan Morgan trilogy. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap, Amazon Author Website: Leo J. Maloney

Check out the book's trailer! The narrator has such a cool voice.

Black Widow by Cliff Ryder Series: Room 59 Book: 5 Room 59, a syndicate of secret agents from all branches of operation and government, tends to stay under the radar. But when a weapons deal is foiled by a clever MI-6 agent on the inside, the organization stands at attention and goes through all means necessary to recruit the young Ajza Manaev, who is still reeling over her brother’s recent death. Sneaking around stealthily and nabbing bad guys would’ve been all fine and well, but when Ajza has to surrender herself to a terrorist training camp focused on training widowed soldiers’ wives, she encounters more than she bargained for. Along the lines of Tom Clancy, the Room 59 series hasn’t failed in delivering the action and suspense with each book covering a different operation and agent. Manaev’s loss of her brother is moving, though the likelihood of two secret agents within the family does come off as a little far-fetched. Some of the characters seem to be thrown by the wayside upon the closing – a quick ‘where-are-they-now’ for them would’ve sufficed, but once Ajza comes into the picture, only those of uttermost importance are regarded. That aside, the latest in the Room 59 series is a suspenseful, fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down home run. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Gold Eagle Books

Seamus the Sheltie to the Rescue! by James Beverly Illustrated by Anita Miles Seamus is a Shetland sheepdog with a friendly wisdom to share with his neighborhood’s animal kingdom, and he does just that in the series of tales told in Seamus the Sheltie to the Rescue!. In this enjoyable, insightful collection, Seamus helps a little family of mice find their way home in the winter; a few puppies with their issues of car sickness, abandonment and premature adventure-seeking; a family of birds with a egg-eating possum problem; and many more. Each tale teaches morals that even a few adults could learn from, and they’re a delight to read aloud with Seamus’s own disjointed version of the English language called ‘Seamus-Speak’. The book also includes discussion guides for each chapter, to help youngsters struggling with the characters’ reactions or intentions, and an appendix of translations of the aforementioned Seamus-Speak, which isn’t limited to Seamus, but the entire animal cast, save a wise, situation-defusing crow. Based on a real-life dog, Seamus is a beautiful reflection of the loving nature of dogs and an easy read providing life lessons for all ages. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap, Amazon Author Website: Seamus the Sheltie

The Finish Line by Cliff Ryder Series: Room 59 Book: 5 One rogue syndicate and one top-secret agency chasing after a hacker who holds the information that could effectively dismantle MI-6? Well, you definitely know there will be a few car chases and gun battles, and Ryder doesn’t fail to deliver in the fifth book of the Room 59 series. Room 59 operative David Southerland, under the unyielding direction of Kate Cochran, whose leadership skills continuously come under threat, and his Midnight Team of agents and friends span Europe chasing said hacker, named Marlene (or is she?), doing whatever is necessary is keep her alive and out of the hands of the agency that seem to be a step ahead of them. Ryder stays focused on the action and suspense, and doesn’t hesitate to begin killing off agents in both agencies to do it, resulting in a pulse-pounding, can’t-put-it-down story worthy of the silver screen or, if the show were still around, an entire season of 24. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Gold Eagle Books

2nd Earth by Edward and Eunice Vought A tale of two SEALs who find their lives – and the entire world – turned upside down after they fall asleep on a subway, “2nd Earth” is a rather poorly-executed story with a great underlying concept. With the two soldiers, Tim and Jon, finding the world in the pits of destruction and its survivors clamoring for every scrap of food and sustenance it can find taking a little nap on a subway ride that started in a bustling , thriving city, you’d think the characters would be raring to find out why and how they’re in the predicament. However, the authors seemed more content with them settling down with complete strangers instead of expanding on the intriguing base plot. Though an ambitious 460-page effort, dialogue is virtually nonexistent and the first-person perspective of Jon isn’t written that well either. A brilliant concept that just never takes off. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Outskirts Press