Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Dirty Secrets of Markham Savoy by CC Dalton {review-giveaway}

The Dirty Secrets of Markham Savoy
by CC Dalton edited by Twisted Literary
Series: Colebrook Confessions #1
Publisher: Twist Literary
Publication date: October 30, 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon


COLEBROOK CONFESSIONS Markham Savoy is Colebrook Academy's most infamous student...He's also the most attractive, most deviant, and most charming, but who's counting? Every Colebrook matriculant knows that Markham is in the business of making problems disappear. And Colebrook students have no shortage of problems. But his aid comes at a price—an obligation to one day repay the favor. Given the number of kids who get in trouble at Colebrook, Markham has a veritable army of willing minions to do his bidding. So the question is, after years of collecting and collating the secrets of his peers, what exactly does Markham have in mind? Each installment of Colebrook Academy is told from the point of view of a different student. As these characters' lives intertwine, each reveals one of the shocking, interlocking secrets that will help Markham leave behind a legacy. A final coup de grâce that the halls of Colebrook Academy will never forget. THE DIRTY SECRETS OF MARKHAM SAVOY, COLEBROOK CONFESSIONS # 1 Even though he safeguards the secrets of his classmates, Markham wouldn't be caught dead sharing his own, and he never lets romantic entanglements get the best of him. But when Piper Harrington marches into his life, he’s forced to give her something in exchange for her cooperation in his schemes--his very own Colebrook Confession. And that's not the only time Piper brings out an unexpected side of himself. Will the dirty secrets of Markham Savoy be his crowning glory...or his undoing?
The Dirty Secrets of Markham Savoy is the first in the Colebrook Confessions series and was written by CC Dalton for Twist Literary. This is the first book in the collection and each is told from a different character’s perspective. I immediately became immersed in the tale and consumed this in no time.

We meet Markham Savoy at the Colebrook Academy as he manipulates and handles both the staff and students of Colebrook Academy. He is from a wealthy family and has contacts in all the right places. He’s like the concierge at the Waldorf who can get you those tickets that are sold out but he doesn’t ask for payment. Instead he says you owe in him a favor. It is clear that students fear and respect him and the female staff bend to his will. While Markham collects and keeps secrets you cannot help but wonder what he plans to do with all of these people and the favors. When it comes to romantic relationships he is a member of the “one night stand club.” He lets the woman know strait up the score and still they fawn all over him. Piper Harrington may just put Markham in his place or turn his world upside down when she demands he owes her a favor for her cooperation.

Markham is a bad boy wrapped in angels clothing. He is smexy, a smooth talker, tells the girls no commitments and loves um and leaves them. He collects favors like the devil collects souls. I did not find a whole lot redeemable about him; however he was very protective of his sister and revelations about what he did for his best friend made my heart soften. His interest in Piper unnerves him and I am anxious to see where this goes. Piper is by the book, totally into school, helps the community and impresses the staff. She is dorm leader and constantly on alert for violators. She is snarky, opinionated and not falling for any of Markham’s charms. We meet Dane (POV for book two), Markham’s best friend and motorcycling riding bad boy. We learned a little about him and that he is Markham’s man or glorified errand boy. Vivianne is another friend who makes an appearance and will be the voice of book three. The characters were all different and had their own voice. While I did not exactly feel all cuddly towards any of them I am reserving my opinion till the end.

I am very curious about the Colebrook Academy as not a lot of information is given. We know most of the students are from families of influence and are overachievers. It’s a boarding school with dorms and the youngest student I encountered was Markham’s fourteen year old sister who is a freshman. I like the concept that Twist Literary has created with this series and their previous series Alibi. Each of the books are about one hundred pages in length and told from a different point of view and written by a new author. I think this gives each character a really unique voice and I love how they blend all of the tales together. It’s kind of like stepping into a virtual reality scene and seeing it unfold as each individual character. This was an exciting start to the series. 

I recommend The Dirty Secrets of Markham Savoy to fans of character driven contemporary novels.   Dane's Addiction book two is currently available and Vivianne and the Quixotic Kiss releases December 15th.

I want to thank Twist Literary for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review

Four Italian coffee cups out of five
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba The Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Giveaway Time!!
Twist Literary is giving away 5 eBooks of 
The Dirty Secrets of Markham Savoy
this rafflecopter is open to anyone who has access
to Amazon, B&N, or iBookstore for an ereader gift.

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Sunday, November 4, 2012

The Sunday Post ~sharing blog news and book haul

The Sunday Post ~ 28th Edition
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 
I spent most of the week sick, which wasn't any fun, but I am recovered and excited for the month ahead. Things that Go Bump in the Night has come to an end, although some giveaways are still open; so be sure and enter. Congrats to all the winners and a heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors who made it possible. There is a new event I am co-hosting in February called Fiery Hot Reads for Icy Cold Nights and you can join in the fun. So be sure and check it out.


Last week on the Blog I brought you:  
This week on the blog look for: 
  • The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens (review)
  • Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones (review-giveaway)
  • Waiting on Wednesday
  • The Promise by Kate Worth (review and awesome giveaway)
  • My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr (review)
  • Owelet by Emma Michaels (excerpt, guest post, giveaway)
Around the Blogosphere: 

  • Be sure and sign up for this exciting blog hop in February. Click on image for details. I am super excited to be co-hosting this event with 4 fabulous bloggers:
Cambria Hebert

  • Check out Christina's review and giveaway of Renegade by J.A. Souders @ A Reader of Fictions and tell her I sent ya :) It is hilarious!
  • I am still giggling after watching the video on how to download Romance ebooks, go, go check out Fiction Vixen Book Review's Friday Funnies. 

Book Haul:

For Review:

Temping is Hell by Cathy Yardley
courtesy of Entangled Publishing

courtesy of Twisted Literary


 Fear Collector by Gregg Olsen
courtesy of Kensington Books


Guardians of Stone by Anita Clenney
courtesy of author and Montlake Romance


A Most Scandalous Proposal by Ashlyn Macnamara
courtesy of Random House/Ballantine books


Stitch by Samantha Durante
sent to me by author 


Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield
courtesy of Simon and Schuster 

Gifted or Won:

Incarnation by Emma Cornwall 
won from Drey @ Drey's Library


Nowhere to Hide by Nancy Bush
You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson
What Happens at Christmas by Victoria Alexander
thanks to the lovely people at Kensington Publishing


The Athena Effect by Derrolyn Anderson
won from Meg @ A Bookish Affair and author
along with this necklace and signed cover tag:


I won a signed copy of Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
from Sherry @Fundinmental As Eye See It and the author included a lovely letter. I loved this book and gave 
it 5 cups of coffee. I may give this up as a giveaway or a special Xmas
gift, since I own a copy of my own :)


Purchased or Downloaded:


      




That's my week. 
Link-up and share your news!





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