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About a Girl by Sarah McCarry

Monday, June 29, 2015


Eighteen-year-old Tally is absolutely sure of everything: her genius, the love of her adoptive family, the loyalty of her best friend, Shane, and her future career as a Nobel prize-winning astronomer. There's no room in her tidy world for heartbreak or uncertainty—or the charismatic, troubled mother who abandoned her soon after she was born. But when a sudden discovery upends her fiercely ordered world, Tally sets out on an unexpected quest to seek out the reclusive musician who may hold the key to her past—and instead finds Maddy, an enigmatic and beautiful girl who will unlock the door to her future. The deeper she falls in love with Maddy, the more Tally begins to realize that the universe is bigger—and more complicated—than she ever imagined. Can Tally face the truth about her family—and find her way home in time to save herself from its consequences?

Goodreads Summary

This book centers around Tally leaving town (and her mother very worried) to find out who her father is.  The reader will quickly become annoyed with Tally's irresponsible and tactless behavior.  She has high hopes for herself and is a little too over-confident.  This was an unusual book for me because I didn't like the main character, but I found the novel as a whole interesting.

Tally has a few different sexual experiences throughout the book.  She has a friend who is transitioning genders and falls in love with another girl.  I liked seeing the diverse relationships, but I wish they had been developed a little more than they were.  It was impossible for me to get attached to any specific character because I didn't feel like I knew them enough.  I did like the author's way of describing and setting the scene and fleshing out the characters.  The ending left me with a lot of questions and very few answers.  Hopefully, there will be a continuance in the series!  This book is recommended to young adult readers.

3 1/2 Stars


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This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.

Goodreads Summary

I can't imagine what it would be like to figure out that one of my parents kidnapped me and kept me from the other.  Benway tackles this sensitive topic with ease.  Emmy used to be Oliver's best friend prior to his kidnapping.  It would be simple to pick up a relationship where it ended...especially one that never officially had an end...but things are rarely that easy.  Emmy and Oliver struggle a bit with how they will eventually define their new relationship.  The novel isn't just about Emmy and Oliver though.  The reader will get glimpses into Emmy's friendships and relationships with her family.  Oliver's tenuous and complicated relationship with his parents made it difficult to put the book down.  I truly didn't have a strong leaning in this book as to what I thought Oliver should do or choose.  

I really loved how the author developed her characters.  Emmy was very expressive.  I love it when a character is open and easy to read.  Oliver was a little more mysterious.  He had a difficult adjustment period due to his kidnapping and a lot was on his plate for his age.  Emmy's best friends and parents each had an impact and important part to play in the novel.  Overall, this story is best for teens and young adults.

4 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Paperweight by Meg Haston

Friday, June 26, 2015


Seventeen-year-old Stevie is trapped. In her life. In her body. And now in an eating-disorder treatment center on the dusty outskirts of the New Mexico desert.

Life in the center is regimented and intrusive, a nightmare come true. Nurses and therapists watch Stevie at mealtime, accompany her to the bathroom, and challenge her to eat the foods she’s worked so hard to avoid.

Her dad has signed her up for sixty days of treatment. But what no one knows is that Stevie doesn't plan to stay that long. There are only twenty-seven days until the anniversary of her brother Josh’s death—the death she caused. And if Stevie gets her way, there are only twenty-seven days until she too will end her life.

In this emotionally haunting and beautifully written young adult debut, Meg Haston delves into the devastating impact of trauma and loss, while posing the question: Why are some consumed by their illness while others embark on a path toward recovery?

Goodreads Summary

This was a very difficult book to put down.  I really connected with Stevie on a personal level.  She plans on dying on the anniversary of her brother's death.  She isn't thinking about the toll her death will take on her already bereaved parents or how her death will affect her friends.  The author makes it very clear that Stevie is in pain.  This book wasn't just about a girl with an eating disorder; the novel also touched on the themes of familial death and depression.  Suicidal thoughts, depression, a brother dying, an anorexic girl, etc...should make for a depressing book, but this book also contains maudlin humor and sarcasm. 

The reader will both like Stevie as well as look at her askance.  She has understandable moments of rudeness and can be very sour, at times.  I really loved following Stevie on her journey back to health and realization that she is an important person and that she deserves to love herself.  My favorite portions of the book included Stevie's memories of her brother and how he acknowledged her eating disorder.  I really understood why he was so important to her.  Overall, this is a poignant novel aimed at young adult readers.

4 Stars


This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

More Than Words: Promo and Giveaway!



Synopsis:

Welcome to Madison Falls, where love is in the air and gossip is ripe on the vine.

Tracy King, the cupcake queen, has given up on getting her prince charming to notice her.
After over a year of coming to her bakery, Ben Carrington, tall, dark, and … quiet, has yet to ask her out. Ben likes sampling her cupcakes, but little does she know that his real craving is for a taste of Tracy. 

A leaky roof on a rainy night leaves Tracy swamped, literally. Ben brings her home with him, knowing that actions speak louder than words. Tempting Tracy into romance is easier said than done when secrets from her past come back to Madison Falls with a vengeance.

Ben has a secret of his own but can’t let it keep him from protecting his lady love. Will he finally tell her his true feelings or will he be silenced for good? 


Buy Links:



About the Author:


Susan Behon, author of the Madison Falls series, enjoys creating a world that brings readers love, laughter, and a healthy dose of sexiness. Susan graduated summa cum laude with a B. A. in English from Norfolk State University. She currently lives in Ohio with her very own romance hero of a husband and their two wonderful daughters.


Author Links:

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This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

"Every child knows how the story ends. The wicked pirate captain is flung overboard, caught in the jaws of the monster crocodile who drags him down to a watery grave. But it was not yet my time to die. It's my fate to be trapped here forever, in a nightmare of childhood fancy, with that infernal, eternal boy."

Meet Captain James Benjamin Hook, a witty, educated Restoration-era privateer cursed to play villain to a pack of malicious little boys in a pointless war that never ends. But everything changes when Stella Parrish, a forbidden grown woman, dreams her way to the Neverland in defiance of Pan's rules. From the glamour of the Fairy Revels, to the secret ceremonies of the First Tribes, to the mysterious underwater temple beneath the Mermaid Lagoon, the magical forces of the Neverland open up for Stella as they never have for Hook. And in the pirate captain himself, she begins to see someone far more complex than the storybook villain.

With Stella's knowledge of folk and fairy tales, she might be Hook's last chance for redemption and release if they can break his curse before Pan and his warrior boys hunt her down and drag Hook back to their never ending game. Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen is a beautifully and romantically written adult fairy tale.

Goodreads Summary

This is a very fun and different take on the familiar Peter Pan story that Disney brought to us many years ago. We still see the same magical environment of Neverland and the charm of Peter and the lost boys and that never ending battle between Hook and the kids. There are a few twists thrown in here to make this book unique and worth reading over other renditions of the story. 

I liked the more adult take on the story where the characters are more humanized and we actually feel for Captain Hook as a person. We actually get to a point where the sill battle between him and the kids may end once and for all, and his reign as a terror of Neverland may come to a close. Shifting the perspective to a telling from Hook's eyes also makes the story fresh and exciting on what can sometimes be and overdone and over-told story. We see this poetic and well spoken side of the villain that deepens his character and adds a whole new realm to our concept of the man. If you are a fan of the Pan story line, this book is right up your alley.

5 Stars

Reviewed by Chris

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

That Chesapeake Summer by Mariah Stewart


Jamie Valentine is the wildly successful author of self-help books advocating transparency in every relationship. But when her widowed mother passes away unexpectedly, Jamie discovers her own life has been based on a lie. Angry and deeply betrayed, she sets out to find the truth—which may be in a small town on the Chesapeake Bay. Cutting her most recent book tour short, Jamie books a room at the Inn at Sinclair’s Point, just outside St. Dennis.

The death of Daniel Sinclair’s father forced him to take over the family inn, and his wife’s death left him a single parent of two children, so there’s little room for anything else in his life. His lovely new guest is intriguing, though, and he’s curious about the secret she’s clearly hiding. But in the end, Jamie and Dan could discover the greatest truth of all: that the search for one thing just might lead to the find of a lifetime—if you keep your heart open.

Goodreads Summary

Although this is the ninth installment in the Chesapeake series, this book works well as it's own entity. In fact it works very well in that regard and makes for a very enjoyable read. This book is a good combination of romance and mystery as Jaimie tries to uncover the story behind her secret find after her mother passed away. Along the way she finds a possible new love interest that she remains unsure of but is still curious about what it may hold for her future.

Jaimie and Dan seem to be the perfect combination for each other, and it is exciting seeing their romance blossom. They both came across each other in an unexpected place in their respective lives and it could not have been a better time for either of them, even if they weren't willing to accept it right away. The images created of St. Dennis set the scene well and the author does a great job at incorporating that into the overall summer mood of the book. Another thing that keeps this book fresh is the revolving door of characters that enter the small town as each of them has a unique story of their own. See how the story unfolds and get into the summer thrills with this book.

4 Stars

Reviewed by Chris

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Sinful Rewards: Promo and Giveaway!

Thursday, June 18, 2015


Sinful Rewards 12
A Billionaires and Bikers Novella
By USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax
9780062354327 / Avon Red Impulse / On Sale: 6/16/2015 / $0.99

“A YEAR OF SIZZLING HOT SAX”
THE SEXIEST 12 MONTH SERIAL is SINFUL REWARDS

The thrilling conclusion to the Billionaires and Bikers series!
One tiny mistake turns Bee Carter's worst fears into a terrifying reality. She knows she isn't alone. The sexy, honorable man she adores stands by her side, willing to sacrifice his freedom to ease her concerns.
But she yearns for more than he is offering. She wants a partner who will love her as fiercely as she loves him, who will say the words and mean them, and someone who will choose her because this is what he desires more than anything else, not merely out of a misguided sense of duty.
Will saying no to the man she loves earn Bee unbearable heartache or will she finally get the forever she craves?
SINFUL REWARDS 1: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 2: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 3: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 4: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 5: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 6: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 7: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 8: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 9: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 10: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 11: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM
SINFUL REWARDS 12: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / BAM

USA Today bestselling author CYNTHIA SAX lives in a world filled with magic and romance. Although her heroes may not always say “I love you,” they will do anything for the women they adore. They live passionately. They play hard. They love the same women forever.


Cynthia has loved the same wonderful man forever. Her supportive hubby offers himself up to the joys and pains of research, while they travel the world together, meeting fascinating people and finding inspiration in exotic places such as Istanbul, Bali, and Chicago. You can visit her at @CynthiaSax and http://cynthiasax.com/


Sinful Rewards 12 – Saying Goodbye to Bee, Hawke And Nicolas
Cynthia Sax

One of the most common questions reading buddies ask me is “What is the toughest part of writing?” For me, the toughest part is the last chapter or, in the case of Sinful Rewards, my sizzling hot 12 novella contemporary erotic romance series, the last novella.

I know, while writing this part of the story, that I’ll be saying good-bye to beloved characters. Yes, I’ll be able to reread the story and visit them but I’ll no longer be living in their world, listening to their every thought, experiencing every emotion.

What will I miss most about the characters in Sinful Rewards?

Bee/Belinda
Bee, of all of the characters in Sinful Rewards, has grown the most. Our exhibitionist-in-training heroine started the serial with a fairly shallow view of others, herself, love, life. She’s endured quite a bit. These experiences have changed her.

I suspect she’ll continue to change, continue to make the transition from twenty-something new grad to mature, confident woman. She’s surrounded by strong female role models—her mom, Ellen, Lona. I can see them all influencing her. I’ll miss seeing that change.

Hawke
Hawke is a man of surprises. That’s what I’ll miss about our tattooed bad boy biker. He loves new experiences and sharing these new experiences with the people he loves. I doubt that he will ever have a ‘normal’ day. His job is constantly changing and he enjoys this aspect of it.

I couldn’t guess what he’ll be doing a day, month, year after Sinful Rewards ends. I know he’ll have his loved ones, his team around him. He’s as loyal as Bee is, as committed to his friends, family, woman. But I don’t know what his day will entail.

Nicolas
Nicolas is the character I wish I had spent more time with. Our jellybean eating billionaire has emotional depths we haven’t even started to explore. I’ll miss his self-depreciating sarcasm and his feigned arrogance, the vulnerability he hides under his business bastard personae.

I’ll miss the characters from Sinful Rewards but I feel fortunate to have known them. They’ve changed me as much as, I suspect, I’ve changed them.

Are there characters from romance novels that you miss?

USA Today bestselling author CYNTHIA SAX lives in a world filled with magic and romance. Although her heroes may not always say “I love you,” they will do anything for the women they adore. They live passionately. They play hard. They love the same women forever.

Cynthia has loved the same wonderful man forever. Her supportive hubby offers himself up to the joys and pains of research, while they travel the world together, meeting fascinating people and finding inspiration in exotic places such as Istanbul, Bali, and Chicago. You can visit her at @CynthiaSax and http://cynthiasax.com/


GIVEAWAY: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

Fashion Academy Spotlight and Giveaway!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Fashion Academy
Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk
July 7, 2015

Book Information

Title: Fashion Academy
Authors: Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Series: Fashion Academy, Book 1

Summary

Project Runway meets the tween scene in a trendy new series from the authors of The Cupcake Club

At the Fashion Academy of Brooklyn, FAB is a way of life.

Fashion-forward MacKenzie "Mickey" Williams is thrilled to be accepted to FAB Middle School (Fashion Academy of Brooklyn), a school that serves as a training ground for the fashion designers of tomorrow.  (Their motto, “We are SEW FAB”). But when her daring fashion and stellar grades turn the Fab A-listers green with envy, Mickey discovers that standing out doesn’t always make it easy to fit in. So when friendly classmate JC comes up with a plan to help Mickey fit in, she decides to take the ultimate fashion risk—ditch her personal style for good.

One mega makeover later, pink-haired Mickey Williams mysteriously disappears, and the trendy, blonde “Kenzie Wills” shows up on the FAB scene, blending with the other students in a way Mickey never could. But when Mickey starts to lose herself to “Kenzie,” she’s not sure that fitting in is worth cutting herself down to size…


Buy Links

Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/1L21Czm
Books A Million – http://bit.ly/1EE05dA
IndieBound – http://bit.ly/1cwXPhE

About the Authors

Sheryl Berk has written about fashion for more than 20 years, first as a contributor toInStyle magazine, and later as the founding editor in chief of Life & Style Weekly. She has written dozens of books with celebrities including Britney Spears, Jenna Ushkowitz, Whitney Port, and Zendaya—and the #1 New York Times bestseller (turned movie) Soul Surfer with Bethany Hamilton.

Her daughter, Carrie Berk, is a renowned cupcake connoisseur and blogger with over 105,000 followers at the tender age of 12! Carrie is a fountain of fabulous ideas for book series—she came up with Fashion Academy in fifth grade. Carrie learned to sew from her grandma “Gaga” and has outfitted many an American Girl doll in original fashions. The Berks also write the deliciously popular series The Cupcake Club that was recently made into an Off-Broadway musical, Peace, Love and Cupcakes at Vital Theater in New York City.

Social Networking Links


Excerpt from FASHION ACADEMY by Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk:

First Day Jitters

After spending the weekend with her aunt, Mickey concluded that Olive wasn’t that bad—at least not as bad as her mom made her out to be. She was just a bit uptight. It was hard for Mickey to understand how she and her mom could be sisters, much less fraternal twins. They had the same curly strawberry blond hair, though her mom highlighted hers and wore it long and loose and Olive pinned hers back in a tight bun. She recognized her aunt’s eyes as well—they were emerald green, just like her mom’s. Too bad she hid them behind thick tortoise shell glasses. Then there was her style: Olive looked like she had stepped out of a time warp. She wore a ruffled pink blouse, long pearls, and an A-line brown skirt. Maybe she was going for a retro 50s vibe? It was the opposite of her mom’s ripped jeans and vintage rock tee shirts. Maybe there had been some mistake and they were switched at birth? Maybe her Granny Gertrude got confused and accidentally picked up the wrong baby in the park one day?
Olive was also a neat freak who insisted that everything be “spic and span” and in its place.
“Mackenzie, clean up after yourself!” she scolded when Mickey left her sketchbook and colored pencils on the kitchen table. No one called her Mackenzie; her mom only used it when she was mad at her. It was a name she barely recognized or answered to. But as many times as she corrected Aunt Olive, she insisted on calling her by her “proper name.”
“Mom calls me ‘Mickey’ and I call her Jordana sometimes,” she tried to explain.
“I don’t care what you call your mom or she calls you. And you call me Aunt Olive out of respect,” she warned her.
Mickey wrinkled her nose. “Really? Mom says she called you Olliegator when you were little. I think that’s cute.”
Olive pursed her lips. “I’m an adult,” she replied sternly. Aunt Olive was an executive assistant at a big law firm, and she took everything very seriously. “Your mother needs to grow up.”
But that was exactly what Mickey loved about her mom—how she was such a free spirit and never cared what anyone thought or said about her. Mickey tried her hardest to be that way, but sometimes it was hard.
For the first day of FAB, she set her alarm for so she would have time to style her outfit properly. She was proud of how it had all come together. She’d taken a beaten-up denim jacket from a thrift shop and dyed it black before adding crocheted doilies for trim at the collars and cuffs. It said exactly what she wanted it to say about her: “I’m edgy but feminine.” And wasn’t that what fashion was all about? Not just a trend or a style, but a reflection of who you are and how you’re feeling? That was what Mickey loved about designing the most, and what she had written on her FAB application:
“I love how you can speak volumes with a single stitch. Fashion should be fearless! I want to be a designer who always colors outside the lines and thinks outside of the box…”
She was pretty sure Aunt Olive didn’t see it that way. Her idea of taking a fashion risk was wearing a skirt that was hemmed above the knee.
“Does it really go together?” she asked, noticing how Mickey had paired her jacket with a white tank top and bike shorts, both of which were splatter-painted with green and yellow drips.
“It isn’t supposed to go,” Mickey told her. “It’s supposed look creative, which is what FAB is all about. Pushing the envelope!”
She added a pair of green cat’s eye sunglasses.
“Well, it’s colorful,” her aunt sighed. “I’ll give you that. And so is your hair. Good heavens!”
Mickey had created green stripes in her long, wavy blond hair with hair chalk.
“Now for the finishing touch!” she said. “No outfit is complete without accessories!” She slipped her feet into a pair of black high top sneakers, tied the yellow laces, and grabbed her bag.
“What is that?” her aunt asked, scratching her head. She squinted to make out the words on Mickey’s tote.
“It used to say ‘Louis Vuitton’—it’s a bag you keep a really fancy expensive bag in. Which if you ask me, is pretty silly,” Mickey explained.
Olive seemed puzzled. “You mean a dust bag? You made that out of a dust bag?”
Mickey spun the tote around. “Two of them, actually!” The other side read, “PRADA.”
“What? How? Why?” Olive asked.
“Well, it’s perfectly good flannel,” Mickey replied. “And don’t you think it’s kinda funny? A statement about recycling? I used two leather belts for the straps and jazzed it up with some studding at the seams. It cost me about $4 total at the flea market!”
She threw the bag over her shoulder and glanced at the clock. It was 8, and the school bus would be along shortly to pick her up on the corner.
“Your breakfast is ready,” Olive said, handing her a glass of green sludge. This was worse then yesterday’s quinoa and fruit concoction! She missed her mom’s breakfasts of left over Chinese Take Out omelets or cold pizza. But Aunt Olive insisted she start the first day of school with “something healthy and nutritious.”
“Do you have any chocolate milk?” she asked, getting up to check the fridge for something edible.
“This is better for you. It’s fresh kale, celery, cucumber, ginger and a touch of agave. It’s delicious.” She took a big sip of her own glass and licked her lips.
Mickey wrinkled her nose. It didn’t look or smell delicious. “I think I’ll grab something in the cafeteria,” she said, pushing the glass away. “I’m too nervous to eat.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. She was pretty terrified for her first day at FAB. Just then, Mickey’s phone rang.
“All ready to conquer the world?” her mom asked.
“I think so, Jordana,” she replied.
“Ah, I see. We’re trying to sound very mature this morning. Send me a picture of the first day outfit and call me. I want to hear all the deets.”
Mickey smiled. Her mom was trying to sound cool. “I will. Love you.”
As the bus pulled up to the corner of Columbus Avenue, Mickey took a deep breath. This wasn’t just the first day of FAB. It was the first day of the rest of her life. The first day of everything.


Rafflecopter Giveaway

3 copies of Fashion Academy. Ends 8/3/2015


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This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews. COPYRIGHT © 2014 LIVE TO READ

The Six by Mark Alpert: Promo and Giveaway!

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The Six
By Mark Alpert
Sourcebooks Fire
July 7, 2015
Advance Praise for Mark Alpert
“Adam is an unusual hero—and he faces a frightening question: Computers can’t kill—CAN they? I’m still shaken by the answer. Will the near-future really be this terrifying?” —R.L. Stine, bestselling author of the Goosebumps and Fear Street series
“An exciting action story chock-full of characters you’ll love. The Six is full of big ideas, big questions, real science, and things that will make you think and wonder and lie awake late at night.” —Michael Grant, New York Times bestselling author of the Gone series
“The Six are introduced as terminally-ill teens, but there’s plenty of high-speed action in which they engage. Their physical disabilities and limitations through disease are forgotten as the teens’ hearts, minds, and personalities shine through...questions of principle, power, and possibility keep this look at our modern, hardwired existence fresh and fascinating.” STARRED Booklist
“Alpert's exploration of neuromorphic electronics raises interesting questions about ethics, technology, and human nature…a haunting ending scene will leave readers pondering the line between progress and loss. A thought-provoking clash between humanity and machinery.”- Kirkus Reviews
“A well-researched, hardcore science-fiction joyride, great for fans of first-person shooter video games like Halo and Destiny. Highly recommended” –School Library Journal
“Do not just read The Six; make your friends read it too.” –VOYA Magazine
Avatar meets The Terminator in this thrilling cyber-tech adventure…
Book Info:
Adam’s muscular dystrophy has taken his motility, his friends, and in a few short years, it will take his life. He takes solace in playing video games he’s programmed to reflect the life that he used to have. Virtual reality is the one realm where he can be the hero, and it’s where he chooses to spend his time, until an entity called Sigma tries to kill him.
A dangerously advanced artificial intelligence program created by Adam’s computer-genius father, Sigma has escaped its cyber prison and is threatening global destruction and domination. But Adam’s father has a plan. He will stop Sigma by using the technology he developed to digitally preserve the mind of his dying son.
Adam’s consciousness is uploaded into the body of a weaponized robot, along with a group of five other gifted teens who are terminally ill. Together, they must learn how to manipulate their new mechanical forms and prepare for combat before Sigma destroys humanity. Adam can finally play the hero for real, but will his new body be worth the sacrifice of his human existence?
This innovative and thought-provoking young adult debut, from the critically acclaimed author of adult thrillersFinal Theory and The Omega Theory, questions what it means to be human and whether we are destined to be defined by our physical bodies or our intellect.  
Amazon | AppleB&N | BAM | !ndigo |  IndieBound | Kindle |  Nook

Mark Alpert:
Mark Alpert is a former editor at Scientific American, and the author of several adult thrillers. He’s been praised by Douglas Preston as the “heir to Michael Crichton.” Visit Mark online at markalpert.com.
Excerpt from The Six:
Shannon rears back in her seat as if she’s been slapped. “And where are you going to store the copies of our brains?” Her voice is furious. “In a supercomputer? A big electronic prison?”
Dad doesn’t take offense. He answers her calmly. “The scanning process converts human intelligence to a digital form, allowing it to run on any neuromorphic computer that has enough memory and processing power. But in the initial stage right after the transfer, we believe it’s important to connect the intelligence to a machine that can move around and sense the outside world. A human intelligence is accustomed to controlling a body, so if we want to preserve its sanity, we’d better give it something to control. Here, let me show you.”
He puts the vial of nanoprobes back in his pocket and pulls out something else, a small remote--control device. He points it at the doorway beside the stage, and a moment later I hear a loud clanking. The noise startles the soldiers standing by the doorway. They step backward, flattening themselves against the wall. Then a seven--foot--tall robot emerges from the doorway and brushes past them.
The robot strides across the stage. It has two arms and two legs, but otherwise it isn’t very humanlike. It has no head or neck. Its torso is shaped like a giant bullet, with the rounded end on top. Its legs angle downward from the base of its torso and rest on oval steel--plate footpads that clang against the floor.
The machine marches briskly past the podium and stops in front of my dad, who presses a button on his remote control. This command extends the robot’s arms, which telescope to a full length of six feet. They look like multi--jointed tentacles. The machine’s hands, though, resemble human hands, with dexterous mechanical fingers and thumbs.
Dad presses another button, and the robot’s rounded top starts to turn like a turret. “The cameras and acoustic sensors are up here,” Dad says, pointing at the top end. “But the neuromorphic electronics are deep inside the torso, encased in armor plating. These robots were originally designed for the war in Afghanistan, so they’re pretty sturdy.” He raps his knuckles against the torso. “All in all, it’s an excellent platform for a newly transferred intelligence, but really it’s just the beginning. The whole point of the Pioneer Project is to bridge the gap between man and machine, and that means the human intelligences must explore their new environment. The Pioneers will have to learn how to use their new capabilities, and that includes transferring their intelligences from one machine to another.”
His voice grows louder again, full of enthusiasm. “Once the Pioneers have mastered these tasks, our hope is that they’ll be able to establish a connection with Sigma. If all goes well, they’ll start communicating with the AI before it launches any of the Russian missiles. And then the toughest challenge will begin. At the same time that the humans are learning how to be machines, they’ll have to teach Sigma how to be human.”

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