BOOK REVIEW: BARGAINS & BETRAYALS (13 to Life Novel) by SHANNON DELANY

BARGAINS AND BETRAYALS

by

SHANNON DELANY

Publisher:  St Martin's Press

Pages:306, paperback

Acquired:  Personal Purchase

RATING

4 out of 5 MISSION READY RUSAKOVA STARS!

Description via Goodreads:

Locked away at Pecan Place, Jessie finds her situation to be even more dangerous than she feared. While she struggles to maintain her sanity and discover answers about the group that seems less and less like any legitimate government agency, Pietr fights to keep their relationship alive. But very aware that his mother’s time is running out, Pietr makes a deal he doesn’t dare tell Jessie about. Because the deal Pietr’s made could mean the death of far more than his tenuous relationship with the girl he loves.

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

Bargains and Betrayals is book #3 in the 13 to Life series by Shannon Delany. I have been really enjoying this series - not too taxing on the brain and a nice easy and enjoyable read from from beginning to end.  

 Jess finds herself in a greater predicament than she could imagine...Pecan Place - home of nutters and one particularly dastardly therapist/scientist - Dr. Jones.  She is one evil woman! And just when Jess thought no-one could be worse being around Dr Jones....it's being around Derek - the ex with the mind control and vision power feeding off Jess' emotions like it's 24/7 free buffet!

Jess uncovers sinister plots and begins to second guess the whole CIA/government/mafia involvement and obsession with herself and the Rusakovas.

Littered throughout the book are POV's from Alexei - former eldest brother and alpha of the Rusakova pack/family......thrust from his position after being found out that he was only adopted and challenged as Alpha by Pietr.  Alexei's insight throughout the story sheds a whole new light on the characters.

Peitr finds himself in a hard place throughout this book.......he has such intense feelings for Jess - that keep growing and becoming deeper and even frustrating at times for him!  He has to deal with quite a lot of emotional baggage throughout Bargains and Betrayals - accepting himself, defining his love with Jess and saving his mother from the horrid clutches of the CIA/Company before she dies.....oh and throw in some mafia involvement!

Shannon Delany has added another great addition to the 13 to Life series - a really great YA read.  With action, espionage, romance and passion......guns, werewolves, an aura reader, mind controller and even zombie guards!  Shannon packs it in and delivers more than we bargained for!  

Next in the series is Destiny and Deception (book #4).

ENJOY!

MARISSA

COVER REVEAL: DESTINY AND DECEPTION (A 13 To Life Novel) by SHANNON DELANY

To those just loving the 13 To Life series by Shannon Delany

Here is the just released cover of Book 4

DESTINY AND DECEPTION

According to Shannon it's release date is 

"FEBRUARY-ish!! 2012"

Don't forget that Book 3 - Bargains and Betrayals is due out August 2011 - not long to wait !!

BOOK REVIEW: SECRETS & SHADOWS by SHANNON DELANY

Title:   SECRETS & SHADOWS
Author:  SHANNON DELANY
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages:  304 paperback
Acquired: Loaned from Ellenbrook Community Library


RATING:   4 out of 5 OBOROT STARS!!


Description from Goodreads:

Nothing's simple when you run with werewolves. Jess Gillmansen thinks she's seen it all but her eyes are about to be opened to even more danger and a reality far more paranormal than she's suspected. With Jess' realization that the Rusakovas' mother is still alive and imprisoned, the group's choices become harder and trust more important. Lines are drawn and relationships change as the broken Rusakova family struggles to reunite to free their mother - and those who Jess thought to be normal people show themselves to be much, much more...

REVIEW:

Secrets and Shadows is the second book in the 13 to Life series by Shannon Delany.  In the first book, I was left a little lost at the end - not too sure how or why the book ended how it did....it just stopped - no cliff hanger.  I had many a question for Shannon but of course I had to wait it out for Secrets and Shadows to be released. Like a good little girl I waited....and finally got my hands on it!!!  Though the book has a primary storyline of the relationship between Jess and Pietr.....it opens up to so much more every page you turn!!!  

Average characters turn out to be oh so much more and when I sit back now and go through what each character has become....I realise I feel that I was "duped" just as much as Jessie and Rusakova's are feeling....one character in particular feels like you've just been slapped in the face with it's identity (sorry....not giving it away!!!).

There is quite a focus on the relationship of Jessie and Peitr .... at times it felt more like the only focal point...but there is a lot playing out in the background that you have to pay attention to.  There is violent action, passion, betrayal and a bond between characters that strengthens as time goes.

Max just gets better and better.  Cheeky, gorgeous and ...Cheeky!! 

Cat becomes the protective friend and older sisters that Jessie has needed.

Derek.....grrrrr....I don't like him...he's just too sleazy. Something doesn't add up with him.

Sarah - she is starting to unravel...can Jess keep the lid on this little fire cracker???

Amy's not as tough a little cookie as she makes out to be. She has a crap background and her involvement with Marvin is not what it seems.

My one query I did have...the only thing that just didn't sit well with me.........Jessie's dad is involved with Wanda (CIA)......but it's only been 6 months since her mothers' death????  Do people move on that quickly??? Jessie's Dad was also allowing Wanda to influence his decisions with Jessie.....hmmm maybe it's just me?!

And at the end?????  I'M LEFT HANGING!!!  Till August it is when Bargains and Betrayals is released.

ENJOY!

MARISSA

BOOK REVIEW - 13 TO LIFE by Shannon Delany

Title:  13 TO LIFE
Author:  SHANNON DELANY
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: Paperback 308

Acquired:  Personal Purchase

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description (from Goodreads):

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.  


REVIEW:

Firstly, this book was a great quick and easy read. I read quite a few intense books prior to picking up this one and it was a refreshing change. Being quick and easy by no means makes a "fluff" book. I started reading it, was very pleased with the ease in which I became engrossed and then didn't want to put it down. I sunk into the couch, feet up and let Shannon Delany take me through a story of trust, trouble, love and a bit of adventure.


The male lead, Pietr is Russian.  I admit I did have trouble at first conjuring up my best Russian accent for him!!! Never fear, he still came out gorgeous !!  The life changing circumstances he faces are huge and one in particular will no doubt lessen is his life expectancy........or will it??!!!


Jess makes a great lead, though I did feel like grabbing her by the shoulders and giving her a darn good shaking - "wake up you silly girl.....don't let this life, or that hotty Russian pass you by", I would yell at her!!  Stuck between her at times loyal and long standing crush on school jock Derek and new guy Pietr - her decision was made for her.


Derek was in the story and then.....poof! Gone!  I don't think we have quite seen the end of Derek or for that fact a couple of the characters that Shannon introduced, toyed with and then not to mention again.  There were certainly aspects that seemed to scream out "SEQUEL!" 


My only disgruntle with this book is the way it ended.   Yes I know there is going to be a sequel - that much was stated on the last page of the book!  It's just that it ended, kaput, finito, all over red rover.....there is so much left hanging and unanswered. It was almost like some one had ripped out the last 2 chapters of my book - just didn't feel it should have finished where it did.  Closure - none!


Regardless of the way in which the book ended, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it (twice now!!) and are very much looking forward the sequel.

ENJOY!

MARISSA