Archive for July 13th, 2012

July 13th, 2012

Book of the Week: Something Strange and Deadly

by Holly Dodson
Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1)

Something Strange and Deadly

 
The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

 
I have been waiting a very long time to finally post my review of this book.  After all, it’s special to me.  Susan was my first serious critique partner (that it sounds like dating is fitting, as finding that first crit partner you know you can trust is a big thing), and watching this book go from those early drafts to what it is now has been…amazing.
 
Okay, I could gush about how awesome Sooz is all day, but lets get on with the show!
 
Eleanor is such a fun character to read.  She’s smart, opinionated, and willing to go after what she wants no matter the consequences.  Being the daughter of an overbearing mother doesn’t bring her down either.  If anything, it adds fuel to the fire for Eleanor to find her brother, whom she believes the dead have taken.
 
When the Spirit-Hunters step into the picture, things get really interesting.  First of all, Daniel will make you swoon!  Like, full on SWOON.  And Joseph — the leader of the Spirit-Hunters – is one of my favorite characters ever.  He’s a Creole gentleman who is doing his best to put the Dead back where they belong, battling evil spirits along the way.  The thing I love about his character is how much depth he has.  He’s caring, yet keeping secrets, and bold yet refined.  Pluse I love, love, love his Creole dialect.
 
Every ounce of this story is packed with mystery and action.  There are twists at every turn, and you won’t see them coming.  From tugging on your romantic side to shiver-inducing encounters with the Dead, there isn’t a page of this book that won’t keep you wrapped in its spell.
 
THE BEST PART is that it releases in ELEVEN days!!  July 24th, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY will be available for everyone!  (Click through to visit the SS&D website to watch the book trailer!)  So go ahead and pre-order it or plan your trip to the bookstore, because I promise you don’t want to miss this one!

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