Marina's Review: Mind Games {The Disillusionists Trilogy #1} by Carolyn Crane

Mind Games (The Disillusionists #1)

by Carolyn Crane

Justine knows she's going to die. Any second now.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.

Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.

• Release Date:  March 2010
• Publisher: Spectra
• Author's web site

* Minor Spoilers

First I want to start by saying that this trilogy has been sitting in my TBR list for a long time, so I made a New Year’s resolution and bought this first book.

All of my friends and blogs I follow (and trust) are giving this book 5 stars ratings and awesome reviews so I’m sad to admit I feel the odd one out, not that I didn’t like it but I just couldn’t connect with the characters enough to care what happens to them.

I found that the world building is unique and it feels complete, the setting is solid and the characters are conflicted most of all about their morals.

Our heroine Justine is a hypochondriac, suffering from the extreme notion that she has vein star syndrome (and her brain is going to start leaking any minute now) her life is hell until she meets Packard. 

Mr. Tall, Dark and Sensuous (a.k.a Packard) tells Justin that she can be free of her phobias if she channels them to somebody else, not just any random person but a dangerous criminal who after that procedure is going to have a major change of heart, he is going to be reformed, or Disillusioned!


At the climax of this story I felt that our heroes started deforming and loosing focus, I can’t understand the reasoning behind Justine’s actions; since she is able to forgive and forget a manipulative criminal why not Packard? And why since there are always two sides to every story she is willing to believe one and doesn’t even consider the other? 

And there is the matter of the language a lot of word felt strange and out of place….
“My entire being sighs into him, curling around his deliciously cucumber cock like it’s my new center of gravity.” …….!!!!!! I hope you understand what I mean.

Overall it is a good Urban Fantasy book and gives you a new and interesting world but I'd love it if things were a little different.

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Top 5 Sundays # 69 - Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together!

Hey everyone!

This week we have a very interesting theme, one that has been extremely hard for me.

I realized I tend to root for the winning team most of the time and by the time a series ends, the hero and heroine I am rooting for are together.

So, for the purposes of this list i shall look at series or individual books in a series where by the end of the book, the Hero with which the Heroine ended up is not my final choice.

Hope you guys will join me!

btw, it might contain spoilers to some series or a book in the series! beware!

  This week’s results:

Favorite Love Triangles! =  4 (33%)

Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together!  8 (66%)

Theme Idea by Camille

Thanks!

The theme for today is:

Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is  Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together! 

*in no particular order

Sookie & Bill 

Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Chalaine Harris

I don't like Bill and even in that first novel i wasn't on his team all the way... So, Sookie ending up with him then was not for me hehe

Morgan & Brian

Morgan Kingsley Series by Jenna Black

The series is over and it is the only example of a series that didn't end up how I really wanted. I know it was canceled and it didn't get a proper send off, but still LOL

Nothing against Brian, but for me Morgan deserved better =D

   

Justine & Otto 

The Disillusionists Trilogy by Carolyn Crane

I was never team Otto, and Justine ending this book with him did not please me to say the least =P

October & Quentin 

October Daye Series by Seanan Mcguire

Love Toby and I am totally team Tybalt, so she sort of ending up with Quentin in this book did not make me happy. 

Cassandra & Mircea 

Cassie Palmer Series by Karen Chance

A lot of people don't agree with me, but Mircea is too manipulative and sleek for me, I am totally Team Pritkin!

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

NEED IDEAS FOR 2012

Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Hero & Heroine That Should NOT Have Ended Up Together! 

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

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ARC Review: Head Rush by Carolyn Crane {The Disillusionists Trilogy #3}

 

**This Title Will be Officially Released on December 6th**

 

 

 

JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF!
In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’tadding up…and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches?
Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mindgame yet.
With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all.

From Goodreads.

 

• Publisher: Samhain

• Release Date: December 6th, 2011

• My Copy: ARC given to me by the author

• Pages: N/A

• Series: The Disillusionists Trilogy

• Genre: Urban Fantasy

• Author's Website

• Buy This Book:

Head Rush: The Disillusionists Trilogy, Book 3

*NO Spoilers.

After the heart crushing ending of Double Cross and the real life will-they-won’t-they-publish-it drama, me and everyone else who is a fan of this series, have been in a tizzy waiting for the conclusion of this great trilogy.

Carolyn Crane has created such an innovative concept within the disillusionists trilogy, not to mention such unique and fascinating characters that you can't help but being completely drawn in and becoming obsessed with them all.

I really don't wanna spoil anything, but I have a very strong feeling that Head Rush will make all of those, including me, that were screaming in frustration and hatred by the end of Double Cross, sigh in relief, smile and get ready to bow own to Carolyn for being such an awesome author.

After such a wild and unforgettable ride that this series has been, Carolyn is definitely an auto-buy author for me and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

 

Previously On The The Disillusionists Trilogy:

 

 

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Top 5 Sundays #57 – Worst/Best Cliff Hangers!

 

 

Hello everyone! I loved that this theme won!

I have such a Love/Hate relationship with cliff hangers that it makes them so fascinating to talk about them =D

How do YOU feel about Cliff Hangers?

Love’em or Hate’em? Why?

  

This week’s results:

Worst/Best Cliff Hangers! = 15 (60%)

Books that Should be Movies! = 10 (40%)

 

The theme for today is:

Worst/Best Cliff Hangers!

 

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)

4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Favorite Book Boyfriends! Part II

*in no particular order

 

Double Cross by Carolyn Crane 

OMG Packard! I need the Third Book stat… I running out of hair to pull LOL 

 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

 

The wait between Catching Fire and Mockingjay was HELL! Wasn’t it?

 

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning 

Who didn’t feel their heart breaking at the end of this one, huh?

 

Iron Crowned by Richelle Mead 

Ugh! I cannot wait for the next book!

 

Blood Challenge by Eileen Wilks

With ONE word, Eileen changed everything!

 

Special Mentions:

   

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

Your input would be much appreciated!

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Worst/Best Cliff Hangers!

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

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Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

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BHSV–Interview w/ Sterling Packard by Carolyn Crane + SIGNED “Mind Games” Giveaway!

 

 

What? It’ s the end of June already? I’ ve been slaving away at my computer this summer, with the occasional walk outside. Writers tend to lead pretty boring - and busy - lives. That’ s why you don’ t see any reality shows with writers in them. We would just sit there in front of our computers.

HOWEVER, characters are another story. That’ s the thing about characters - most of them don’ t have jobs. Heck, they don’ t even do chores!

Do you see many characters doing laundry? Has Justine Jones ever once shaved her legs? Has Shelby ever cleaned a sink? Has Sterling Packard ever cleaned a cat litter box?

The answer is NO. Instead, these bums have endless free time to visit with each other and solve mysteries and get into trouble.

So instead of talking about my summer, I’ m going to ask Packard about his summer.

Hey Packard, what are you up to this summer?

Packard: Did you just call us bums?

Carolyn: Yes, but you know I didn’ t mean it. So what are you up to this summer?

Packard: I can’ t tell you, or I’ d ruin the series for readers. But I think, of all people, you know that I’ ve been up to things.

Carolyn: Yes, you have, haven’ t you? Do you want to give our readers a hint?

Packard: Big things.

Carolyn: * grins* Okay, let’ s talk about what you wish you were doing this summer. You have always loved beaches.

Packard: My ideal summer would definitely involve a beach, Carolyn.

Carolyn: Did you love beaches before you were trapped in the Mongolian Restaurant for 8 years?

Packard: No. Back then, I felt like beaches were more for families and young singles with frisbees, not so much for tortured masterminds.

Carolyn: Right, because what would a tortured mastermind wear to a beach? Plaid slacks with a
polyester sports coat? And unibomber sunglasses?

Packard: * long stony silence * If, in one of your books, you send me to a beach in plaid slacks with a polyester sports coat, and unibomber sunglasses, I will go on strike.

Carolyn: How about if I send Otto to the beach in that outfit?

Packard: * looks thoughtfully into the distance* I wouldn’ t stop you.

Carolyn: Do you know how to play frisbee? Or swim?

Packard: You know I don’ t. I might as well have been raised by wolves.

Carolyn: Right. My fault. And we all know who you WISH you could go to the beach with.

Packard: Yes you know who I wish to go to the beach with, don’ t you? I wish she was with me all the time. I’ m miserable without her. Happy? Carolyn, if you’ re feeling angry that you’ re spending this summer inside banging away at a keyboard, don’ t take it out on me by reminding me of things I desperately want but don’ t currently have.

Carolyn: Never mind, we’ re in no comment territory. What else? A beach ball. You would need a nice bright bouncy beach ball.

Packard: * total silence*

Carolyn: What if I found you a black beach ball? Would that be more appropriate for a tortured
mastermind?

Packard: No. But maybe a dog. I’ ve always wanted a dog.

Carolyn: Really? A dog?

Packard: I never had a dog of my own.

Carolyn: That’ s kind of sweet.

Packard: * shrugs *

Carolyn: * stares off thoughtfully, then rushes off to her laptop, leaving Packard brooding.*

***

Hey, have a great summer everybody, and Larissa, thanks so much for inviting me to the summer vacation event!

Goodies for all: In addition to the free copy of Mind Games up for grabs, I have a whole bunch of new trading cards.

Just email your snailmail address to:

carolyn@authorcarolyncrane.com

within the next week or so, and I’ ll send the entire set of 5 out to you. International: I have a few International stamps left, so try me. I’ ll send until I run out!

 

 

For more information about Carolyn Crane and her books, check out her website at

http://authorcarolyncrane.com

 

 

Win a SIGNED Copy of “Mind Games by Carolyn Crane!

 

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Top 5 Sundays {#38} – Favorite "Throw Your Book Against The Wall" Cliffhangers!

 

Hey there dear readers! =) My favorite time of the week has arrived, Top 5 time!

This was such a fun one to think about and I Hope you enjoy it as well!

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

This week’s results:

Fave "Throw Your Book Against The Wall" Cliffhangers! = 22 (91%)

Fave Zombie Books! = 2 (8%)

 

The theme for today is:

Favorite "Throw Your Book Against The Wall" Cliffhangers!

 

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

 

This week’s theme is Favorite "Throw Your Book Against The Wall" Cliffhangers!

  *in no particular order

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

The Beast’s death and Mac’s reaction? Mind Blowing to say the least! 

 

White Cat by Holly Black

Finding out what Cassel’s mom did was insane, having the book end there? Crazy! LOL 

 

Changeless by Gail Carriger 

Who didn’t feel like punching Lord Maccon at the end of this book? WHO? 

 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

One line! That was all it took to stop my heart! Ugh!

 

Double Cross by Caroline Crane 

Packard! OMG! I hate Otto with all my being! The ending of this book is a killer and worth of being mentioned again!  

 

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

Your input would be much appreciated!

*Thanks everyone that submitted their ideas last week! You guys rock! =)

 

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Favorite "Throw Your Book Against The Wall" Cliffhangers!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

 

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