*Stacking the Shelves* Holiday 2014 Edition

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Stacking the Shelves for the week of December 14, 2014

Welcome back!  

This STS will be the last one for 2014. With Christmas next Thursday, and New Years 2015 the following week, I am doubtful for any major shelf stocking for the next 2 weeks.

I sincerely wish each and everyone of you a joyous Holiday season. I am thankful to everyone who has stopped by and supported Gizmos Reviews this past year. YOU make this all worth it!

Received via Edelweiss (Touchstone)

 

Received via NetGalley - Forever Yours (Grand Central Publishing)

AMAZON DEALS of THE WEEK (Free!)

*Gizmos Early Reviews* Gideon by Alex Gordon

**I received this book for free from Harper Voyager via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Synopsis*

Preston & Child meets Kim Harrison in this edge-of-your-seat debut thriller—a superb blend of mystery, urban fantasy, horror, romance, and the supernatural.

When Lauren’s father dies, she makes a shocking discovery. The man she knew as John Reardon was once a completely different person, with a different name. Now, she’s determined to find out who he really was, even though her only clues are an old photograph, some letters, and the name of a town—Gideon.

But someone—or something—doesn’t want her to discover the truth. A strange man is stalking her, appearing everywhere she turns, and those who try to help her end up dead. Neither a shadowy enemy nor her own fear are going to prevent her from solving the mystery of her father—and unlocking the secrets of her own life.

Making her way to Gideon, Lauren finds herself more confused than ever. Nothing in this small Midwestern town is what it seems, including time itself. Residents start going missing, and Lauren is threatened by almost every townsperson she encounters. Two hundred years ago, a witch was burned at the stake, but in Gideon, the past feels all too chillingly present . 

*My Thoughts*

Centered around a small fictional town in Illinois called Gideon, Alex Gordon's debut novel is steeped in mystery, witch craft, demons, and darkness. Gideon traverses nearly 200 years and features a group of witches from Eliza Blaylock to Lauren Reardon that call themselves Children of Endor and are guided by the Lady.

As one of the main characters of Gideon, Lauren's world is changed after her father suddenly dies, and some stunning secrets leak out. After a mysterious man causes havoc on someone Lauren comes in contact with, she travels 2,000 miles to Gideon to get to the bottom of who her father really was, why he kept his past a secret from her all this time, and why this mystery man is so interested in her.

Gideon isn't necessarily a welcoming place for Lauren. The people don't care for strangers who enter the down, and there are centuries worth of secrets, plots, and counter plots that have divided the town and may be linked to Lauren's ancestors. Gideon is a place that is truly stuck in the past and the past never truly fades away. There are dangers around every turn, and if you walk too far into the woods, you might find yourself staying there forever. Gideon's residents are supposed to be guardians that stand against the demons that roam the wilderness, but there are those who are more inclined to follow the darkness rather than the light.

Lauren's arrival brings up a whole lot of bad memories going back nearly 200 years. Gideon is a town that once was part of the so called Sudden Freeze of 1836 that left many of the town's residents dead almost immediately. Later, the Great Fire of 1871 ravaged not only Gideon, but large cities like Chicago. Lauren's descendants have been taking the brunt of the blame since 1836, and it will take a miracle for Lauren to get to the bottom of the darkness dwelling in Gideon, and save the town from itself.

Gideon starts out in a very dark place with lots of death, and ends on the same note. Lauren is a character who is thrown into a serious situation, and only has a few allies to help her uncover how to stop the darkness from completely taking over Gideon and elsewhere. Next to Lauren, my favorite character is Connie Petersbury who experiences her own form of hell on earth, and Victoria Waycross the Mistress of Gideon who stands against the darkness and isn't one without faults.

Apparently there is a follow-up to Gideon called Jericho, but there's no information on whether or not the same characters or setting will be featured. One might presume that with the ending of Gideon, Lauren has a whole new world to discover, as well as learning about her own abilities. Then again, Jericho might be an entirely new story with new characters. One never assumes anything these days for fear of being labeled a crack pot.

As of 12/19/2014, this is the first review to be posted for Gideon (as least on Goodreads). Please note that I have done my best not to spoil the actual events, or players, or reasons for Lauren's arrival in Gideon, nor how the story ends. I have a tendency of being a bit forthcoming with my review, and I truly hope that someone finds this review useful when it comes to picking Gideon to add to your ever growing TBR pile. I definitely recommend Gideon to anyone who loves dark urban fantasy stories.

Author - Alex Gordon
Title - Gideon
Published by Harper Voyager
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Format: E-Book, 432 pages

*Gizmos Book Reviews* Superheroes Anonymous (Part I) by Lexie Dunne

**I received this book for free from Harper Voyager Impulse via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Synopsis*

Everybody in Chicago has a “superhero sighting” story. So when a villain attacks editorial assistant Gail Godwin and she’s rescued by superhero Blaze, it’s a great story, and nothing more. Until it happens again. And again. 

Now, the media has dubbed her Hostage Girl, nobody remembers her real name, and people are convinced that Blaze is just Gail’s boyfriend Jeremy in disguise. Gail’s not so sure. All she knows is that when both Jeremy and Blaze leave town in the same week, she’s probably doomed. Who will save her now?

But when the villains miraculously lose interest, Gail is able to return to her life…until she wakes up strapped to a metal table by a mad scientist who hasn’t read the news. Escaping, and now more than human herself, she’s drawn into a secret underground world of superheroes. She’ll have to come to terms with her powers (and weakness) to make it in the new society, and it’s not easy. After all, there’s a new villain on the rise, and she has her sights set on the one and only Hostage Girl.

*My Thoughts*

SUPERHEROES ANONYMOUS is Lexie Dunne's debut into the world of superheroes, and super villains. The story is told in the first person narrative by Gail Godwin. Gail lives and works in Chicago, where superhero sightings are just as exciting as watching a Chicago Bulls game. Well, maybe not for everyone.

Gail is a diminutive editorial assistant who has a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nicknamed Hostage Girl by the media, Gail has been on the villains radar for the past 2 years. Every villain with something to prove, finds a way to make sure Gail is part of their world domination plans in order to lure a certain superhero into their web.

Everyone in Chicago truly believes that Superhero Blaze, who has rescued her more than a dozen times, is Gail's boyfriend Jeremy. Everyone that is except for Gail who hasn't a clue who Blaze really is. When Jeremy and Blaze leave Chicago for Miami, Gail truly believes she can finally relax, and not worry about being kidnapped, or tortured, or used as a tool to gain Blaze's attention. Not so fast my friends.

After falling victim to a mad scientist hoping to catch Blaze's attention, Gail finds that she's been forever altered by drug that is supposed to be addictive. She finds that her body is changing, giving her new strength and healing abilities, and an entirely new physique. After escaping, Gail once again finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and comes face to face with a new super-villain named Chelsea and to the attention of an organization of superheroes who are very interested in what happened to Hostage Girl.  

Holy fudge! That ending left my heart torn into pieces. With the sequel to Superheroes Anonymous coming out in June of 2015, it's going to be a rather long wait to find out what happens next in "part 2." I suppose I should say that since Superheroes is close to being a comic book in print, you have to expect a cliffhanger ending in order to get you to pick up the next installment. However much we, as readers, hate cliffhanger endings, they're not going away anytime soon.

I liked Gail as a lead character because she really doesn't give into the Mary Jane aspect of a simmering, suffering female victim as is often portrayed in these sorts of stories. She actually started the ball rolling by bravely taking on her first encounter with a villain. She could have run away more times than you can count, but didn't. Not even when she faces off against her very own nemesis in Chelsea.

The secondary characters in Superheroes are as interesting as Gail. This includes her trainer Angélica, her mentor Vicki, and of course, Blaze. I liked that there wasn't a love at first sight moment when Blaze's identity is finally revealed. I should say I was rather surprised by Blaze's true identity. I liked that Gail doesn't turn into a super hero over night, but has to endure hours of training, frustration, and a learning curve that is created just for her.

As I have previously stated, I prefer a character who grows over the course of a novel, or series. I think Gail definitely falls into that category. She goes from someone who only works at her place of employment because of health insurance, to a much more confident person who gets thrown into the world of superheroes and supervillains. I really wish we could have learned a bit more about Chelsea, and her plans. But, I can have patience until the sequel comes out and hope that Dunne reveals her master plan for Blaze, Gail, and Chelsea.

Author - Lexie Dunne
Title - Superheroes Anonymous
Released by Harper Voyager Impulse
Published - November 18, 2014
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: E-Book, 336 pages

*Gizmos Early Reviews* Atlantis Rising by Gloria Craw

**I received this book for free from Entangled Teen via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Synopsis*

I am different. I have always been different, but no one can know or my life will be in danger. So I hide in plain sight, wearing drab clothes and thick glasses and trying to be invisible. I’m so good at hiding, no one has ever noticed me. Until Ian…the mysterious and oh-so-cute boy I know I need to avoid.

Now I have been seen. And more terrifying still, I am wanted—by those who would protect me and those who would destroy everything and everyone I love. But if they’re all terrified about who I am, wait until they see what I can do

*My Thoughts*

17-year old Alison McKye has been living a lie. You see, Alison is not human. She's the offspring of Dewing parent's who are descendants of Atlantis. Alison is another example of being left behind in order to protect her by parents she will never know. Sometimes, leaving someone behind to grow up with no understanding of their heritage in a human world, can be a crutch for a character to hold and deal with.

Alison had no idea she was different from any other human, until a chance meeting with another Dewing who told her to hide and protect herself and her human family who adopted her. Staying with this promise 3 years later, Alison has no friends. She prefers to wear drab, unassuming clothes with obnoxious glasses and no makeup. She keeps her head down in order not to stand out. Alison keeps personal items with her at all times. She's prepared to leave at a moment's notice if anyone discovers who she really is or puts her family in harms way.

When Ian and Brandy Palmer arrive at Fillmore HS, Alison's entire world changes almost overnight. The perky Brandy won't allow Alison to go solo anymore, and brings Alison a bit of normality into her life like going shopping and sitting down for lunch with other people. Ian, of course, is the hot Dewing who pushes Alison even further to learn the ways of her abilities so that she can help save her family, and stop a war that's brewing between Atlantean factions. Ian, while considered a love interest, really is more of a protector, a friend, an ally, and someone who has your back. Happy note for all readers, no love triangle, and no love at first bite! 

Atlantis Rising is a fairly quick paced story that is interesting because Craw actually does some world building when it comes to the people of Atlantis, the factions involved, and their mind abilities. She gives Alison an ability called transference which has allowed her to remain in the background for 3 years without anyone realizing who she is. I do have some thoughts about a possible sequel to this novel since I just don't see how things can be wrapped up this deliberately without considering that others will step up and come after Alison. 

I would love to ask Entangled and Ms Craw if another book in this world is in the works? If not, why? I think one would want to learn more about the clans, if the war will continue, if anyone who helped the other side will come back to haunt Alison and Ian, and whether or not Alison and Ian become likeness, or life partners/mates. We also don't know about her "other" abilities and what they really mean. I think there is a whole universe of ideas when it comes to Alison and her Atlantean friends.

Author - Gloria Craw
Title - Atlantis Rising
Publisher - Entangled Teen
Release Date - January 6, 2015
Genre - Young Adult, Paranormal
Format - E-Book, 352 pages

*Gizmos Early Reviews* Willowgrove (Hemlock #3) by Kathleen Peacock

**I received this book for free from Katherine Tegen Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Synopsis*

Willowgrove is Kathleen Peacock's riveting conclusion to the Hemlock trilogy, a dark, romantic, paranormal suspense series that pits friendship against survival, and trust against love.

Ever since Mac's best friend, Amy, was murdered, Hemlock has been a dangerous place. But now that Mac, her boyfriend, Kyle, and Amy's ex, Jason, have investigated a mass breakout from Thornhill, a werewolf "rehabilitation" camp, the danger has only grown. Fear of the infection spreading is now at an all-time high, and anyone with a scar is suspected of being a wolf.

What makes Mac even more afraid, though, are the dark experiments that the warden of Thornhill was performing on wolves in a secret asylum called Willowgrove. Uncovering the truth about what happened may be the only way for Mac to save everyone she loves and end her nightmares for good.

*My Thoughts*

"Everyone always sees more than they remember, and sometimes people see things they're not ready to accept." 

Willowgrove is the final installment in the Hemlock trilogy. It has been nearly a month since Mackenzie Dobson, Kyle Harper, Jason Sheffield and Serena Carson returned from the Thornhill rehabilitation camp. Coming home they find that their hometown of Hemlock, where everything started with Amy's death, is now being swarmed by Trackers, the anti-werewolf hate mongers.

Things have changed for the main characters as well, and nothing could prepare them for what comes next. Mac is still being visited by Amy. Amy's hints cause Mac to rethink everything she's learned, or seen up to this point. It causes Mac to do some careless things, and some things that prove that she's not a one hit wonder. Evolution of a character in a series is a strong positive for me. Mac shows that she is willing to protect those she loves even if it means she has to pay a price.

Serena, on the other hand, isn't the same and struggles with what she went through. Truly, how can one be whole when she barely managed to survive and now she can't trust that she's truly safe? Kyle also has choices to make; return to the pack in Denver, or be considered an oath breaker. But, how can he expect Mac to follow him to Denver when she's a regular, and he's to be surrounded by werewolves? As for Jason, after everything he's seen and did to help save the werewolves, how can he truly remain part of the Trackers? How can he look his own parents in the eyes without hurling insults at them, and walking away?

I will say that Peacock doesn't hold anything back in Willowgrove. She puts everything on the table, and pushes MacKenzie and her friends to uncover the truth without completely breaking their spirits and their hopes. Everything comes to head, including Mac's choice of who she really wants to be with. Secrets come out of the darkness thanks to Amy's persistence and Mac's determination. There's a bit of sadness for some characters we've met along the way, a lot of action, and just a bit of romance for everyone else.

I am happy to announce that the love triangle took up absolutely no room in this novel. Of course Mac has feelings for both Jason and Kyle. You can't expect her not to. She, along with Amy, will be forever linked by their friendship, and the trials and tribulations they had to face since Amy's death. But, don't cry for Jason. Trust me. I find myself respecting Jason for finally seeing through the BS and knowing the truth about what really took Amy away from him. I respect him for standing by his friends, and not bailing on them for the Trackers.

Willowgrove ends with a powerful message about social justice. Mac, Jason, Kyle, and Serena stand up for the Werewolves who really don't have any rights in Peacock's world. It is their voice that helps bring the werewolves out of the shadows with an ending that changes everything. One could, if they choose, compare the Werewolves to other minorities who don't have a voice in their own fates. Or, one could say that if we respect each other as human beings, and not by the color of our skin, religion, or sexual orientation, the world would be a wonderful place to live in.

Author - Kathleen Peacock
Title - Willowgrove (Hemlock # 3)
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Format: E-Book, 368 pages

*Top Ten Tuesday* Top Ten Books I Read In 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new topic and we all share our thoughts on that topic! I decided it was finally time to jump on board with this wicked fun meme!

Top Ten Books I Read in 2014

*It's not easy to narrow down 10 books out of 350 that I've read this year,

but, here you go!

1. Unhinged (Splintered # 2) by A.G. Howard

2. Black Widow (Elemental Assassin # 12) by Jennifer Estep

3. Tempered (The St. Croix Chronicles # 4) by Karina Cooper

4. Lady Thief (Scarlet # 2) by A.C. Gaughen

5. Death Sworn (Death Sworn # 1) by Leah Cypess

6. Rebel Wing (Rebel Wing # 1) by Tracy Banghart

7. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle # 3) by Maggie Stiefvater

8. Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass # 3) by Sarah J. Maas

9. Fortune's Pawn (Paradox # 1) by Rachel Bach

10. The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

*Gizmos Book Reviews* Forged by Desire (London Steampunk #4) by Bec McMaster

**I received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Book Blurb*

Captain Garret Reed of the Nighthawk guard has a deadly mission: capture a steel-jawed monster preying on women. He hates to put his partner, Perry, in jeopardy, but she’s the best bait he has. Little does he realize, he’s about to be caught in his own trap.

Perry has been half in love with Garrett for years, but this is not exactly the best time to start a relationship—especially when their investigation leads them directly into the clutches of the madman she thought she’d escaped.

*My Thoughts*

Forged by Desire (London Steampunk # 4) is Nighthawk partners Perry Lowell and Garrett Reed's story to tell. But, they are not alone. Forged is just the tip of the iceberg at what has been happening in McMaster's world since Kiss of Steel was introduced. I would suggest that you not only read Perry and Garrett's story called The Curious Case Of The Clockwork Menace (London Steampunk #3.5) before jumping into Forged, but read each book in this series in order to avoid missing something important.

I say this because McMaster has a tendency of mentioning events that happened previously, and in Garrett and Perry's case, why he is so protective of her for something that happened 3 years before. Garrett has the dubious title of being Acting Guild Master of the Nighthawks after his mentor Sir Jasper Lynch was promoted. Garrett heads a group of rogues that patrol the streets, hunting down murderers and thieves.

After a near fatal incident, and seeing Perry as he's never seen her before, Garrett is having some issues with his CV levels and his feelings for Perry. One can only imagine the struggles that he goes through in attempting to not lose himself, or Perry to the Fade. I have to give Garrett credit for not giving up when he's continually pushed away because of Perry's walls she's built up to protect herself from being hurt again. I have to also give him credit for not turning his back, but charging ahead to win Perry's complete surrender.
Perry has a secretive background that hasn't been touched on until now. She came to the Nighthawks 9 years ago after reinventing herself and burying who she once was in order to make it in a male dominated world. She continues to keep Garrett at arms length, and denies that she has any affections for him, when she in fact, does. Perry is one of a few female Blue Bloods, although she wasn't given much of a choice in the decision.

After reading The Curious Case, I really got excited in learning what brought Perry to the Nighthawks, and what she was running from. Ever since I've met Perry, she's been a character that is not only secretive, but able to do her job better than any man. I'm happy to say that McMaster's answers both questions, while allowing her to move on from her past. I did have some issues with Perry in this book. I think it was because I had thought she was a whole lot stronger than she appears in this book. Her emotions nearly destroy everything. I do wish there had been more of a resolution between Perry and her family.

If you've been paying attention to my reviews recently, you'll notice that I have just completed a mini-readathon of books 2 thru 4 (along with the novella) in the London Steampunk series. I am so deeply involved in this alternative steampunk London now, that it is hard to stop without finding out what happens next. I do have the 5th installment as well, but I am holding off for a little bit longer since it actually doesn't release until March.

McMaster has created her own version of London where the Echelon Blue Bloods (think vampires) rule with an iron fist. The Echelon, controlled by the Prince Consort, treats humans as though they are nothing more than cattle to be drained of their blood, and hammered into submission if they dare to speak or step out of line. But, the series isn't just about Blue Bloods and the humans they subjugate. Readers have now learned about a group of Humanists fighting to regain control, and the Verwulfin who have finally been allowed out of their prisons and a chance at freedom. We've been introduced to several different factions of Blue Bloods, and Verwulfin from places as far away as Russia and America.  

I do believe that Forged by Desire is perhaps the most straight forward and predictable of all the novels and novellas that have been released so far in this series. We needed to know about Perry's background, and her personal hell she experienced that led her to become a Blue Blood/Nighthawk. We also needed to have closure for Perry so that she could move on with her life with Garrett. We also needed for the two characters to stop circling the wagons, and just start ripping their clothes off like every other couple that has been introduced in the series. We also needed Garrett to find forgiveness for his actions in the previous novel, and to finally show that he can be the leader Lynch believes he can be.

I would say without hesitation, that the last third of Forged was by far the best and most intriguing because it definitely leads right into the next book called Of Silk and Steam (London Steampunk #5). What's apparent is that McMaster has now laid out all her key players, and they all, every single one of them, make an appearance in Forged, and are now a part of a well put together team that hopefully can trust each other, and survive what is coming next.

Author - Bec McMaster
Title - Forged by Desire
Series - London Steampunk # 4
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Released - September 2, 2014
Genre: Steampunk, Romance
Format: E-book, 436 pages