Review: Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson

Conspiracy Girl

Author: Sarah Alderson

Series: -

Pages: 320

Publisher/Source: Simon & Schuster Australia

Release date: 12^th February 2015

Amazon

Synopsis (Goodreads)

Everybody knows about the Cooper Killings – the Bel Air home invasion that rocked the nation.
There was only one survivor - a sixteen year-old girl.
And though the killers were caught they walked free.

Now eighteen, Nic Preston - the girl who survived - is trying hard to rebuild her life. She’s security conscious to the point of paranoia and her only friend is a French Mastiff bulldog, but she’s making progress. She’s started college in New York and has even begun dating.

But then one night her apartment is broken into and the life Nic’s worked so hard to create is shattered in an instant. 

Finn Carter - hacker, rule breaker, player – is the last person Nic ever wants to see again. He’s the reason her mother’s killers walked free from court. But as the people hunting her close in, Nic has to accept that her best and possibly only chance of staying alive is by keeping close to Finn and learning to trust the person she’s sworn to hate.

Fleeing across a snowbound New England, frantically trying to uncover the motive behind the murders, Nic and Finn come to realize the conspiracy is bigger than they could ever have suspected. But the closer they get to the truth and the closer they get to each other, the greater the danger becomes.

To survive she has to stay close to him.
To keep her safe he has to keep his distance.

Review: 5 out of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of Sarah Alderson and I have been so intrigued by Conspiracy Girl since I first heard about it so as soon as I received a copy (Thank you S&S Australia) I instantly devoured it – real life was put on hold and it was a one day read, I loved every moment of this thrilling book.

Our MC is Nic Preston, her life was changed forever at the age of sixteen when she became the sole survivor of a break-in where her mother and step-sister were both brutally murdered. The case was high profile, everybody knew about the Cooper Killings and she has taken extreme measures to keep a low profile and safe, moving from LA to NY and installing a state of the art security system as well as buying a trained dog as a companion to allay some of her fears but her life turns to turmoil when her apartment is broken in to an attempt is again made on her life. Thrown into protective custody which was also breached she ends up at the home of Finn Carter, professional hacker, rule breaker and player; he is also the reason her family’s killers walked free from court so their reunion isn’t exactly pleasant.

Nic was a little high maintenance initially – understandably so but she came across as an ingrate, as the story progresses you get an understanding of what she has had to endure and why she is the way she is and I was able to sypathise with her and like her as a character. Finn was amazing! I absolutely adored him and I enjoyed learning about  his interesting past; the way he put himself constantly in harm’s way for Nic was extremely noble, he didn’t need to help her but he put his own life on hold to help her out and protect her. Their slow to burn chemistry and the progression of their relationship was done very well.

There were many frantic, edge of your seat moments; the action was aplenty and the bad guys were relentless but I was clueless about who they were and what their purpose was – trying to work out the conspiracy kept me flipping the pages; I enjoyed every moment of this thrill-ride!

Sarah Alderson kept us guessing right to the end of the book; her writing gripped me and the many surprise twists and turns kept things exciting; I loved the storyline, the sweet budding romance and the characters.

I highly recommend Conspiracy Girl to fans of thrillers with action and romance to balance it all out. This is my favourite Sarah Alderson book to date, a must read!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read and review Conspiracy Girl.   

About the author
: Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and princess-obsessed daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home. After several months in India, Singapore, Australia and the US, they settled in Bali where Sarah now spends her days writing by the pool and trying to machete open coconuts without severing a limb.

She finished her first novel, Hunting Lila (winner of the Kingston Book Award), just before they left the UK, wrote the sequel on the beach in India and had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster by the time they had reached Bali.

A third book, Fated, about a teenage demon slayer, was published in January 2012.

The Sound, a thriller romance set in Nantucket, was published in August 2013 and this was followed by the critically acclaimed Out of Control in May 2014. 

She also writes New Adult romance for Pan Macmillan (UK) / Simon & Schuster (US) under the pen name Mila Gray.

You can find Sarah on facebook and atwww.sarahalderson.com or follow her blog atwww.canwelivhere.com 

Blog tour - Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson

I am a huge fan of Sarah Alderson and I can’t wait to read Conspiracy Girl which is scheduled for release on the 12^th February! I am pleased to be able to share an excerpt with you today.

Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Publication Date: 12th February 2015.

Goodreads – Amazon - TBD

Synopsis:

Everybody knows about the Cooper Killings.

There was only one survivor – fifteen year-old Nic Preston.

Now eighteen, Nic is trying hard to rebuild her life. But then one night her high-security apartment is broken into. It seems the killers are back to finish the job.

Finn Carter – hacker, rule breaker, player – is the last person Nic ever wants to see again. He’s the reason her mother’s murderers walked free. But as the people hunting her close in, Nic has to accept that her best chance of staying alive is by staying close to Finn.

And the closer they get to the truth, and to each other, the greater the danger becomes.

Excerpt

Next thing I know I’m on my feet, throwing myself against something, kicking hard and punching harder, screaming and yelling and sobbing at the same time, but then my arms are pinned against my body and my feet lift off the floor. A part of me realises that it’s Finn, that he has his arms around me and is holding me from behind.

I try to scream; ‘Get off me!’ But it comes out as a sob.

‘Shhh, shhhhh,’ he whispers in my ear, his arms a vice around my torso.

I put up a struggle, kicking out with my legs and connecting sharply with his shin. He grunts but doesn’t let me go and then the fight evaporates out of me as fast as it arrived and I sink to the floor sobbing.

Finn drops with me, his arms still wrapped around me, my back pressed to his chest. My head falls forwards and with one hand Finn sweeps my hair out of my face and holds me while I cry, rocking me back and forth.

‘What can I do?’ he asks after a few minutes when I’ve calmed a little.

I lift my head, my skull throbbing. My throat is stripped and raw and my body aches all over.

‘Nic,’ he says and the way he says my name, the anguish in his voice, makes me stop crying instantly. I tilt my head backwards against his shoulder. My hair falls in front of my face and Finn brushes it away again, his palm resting against my cheek. My focus falls to his lips.

I wrench my arm free of Finn’s embrace and twist so I’m sitting on his lap, then I lace my fingers around his neck and tug him closer.

He doesn’t kiss me back at first and I almost give up but then I hear him sigh. His arms snake around my waist and he pulls me tight against his chest, and the kiss becomes frantic, breathless, all consuming.

I’ve never known a desperate hunger like the one that overtakes me. It cancels out everything; the memories, the pain in my shoulder, the thoughts slamming themselves around my skull. It turns the volume down on my mother’s screams. All I can feel is Finn.

My hands slide beneath his T-shirt, running over the hard slabs of muscle, feeling the ridges of his scar and following it down inside his jeans with absolutely no hesitation. It’s as if my body is acting independently of my mind, purely on instinct. Finn groans even as he kisses me harder, his teeth biting down on my lower lip. I tilt my head back and he kisses along my jaw.

I rip his T-shirt off over his head. I bury my lips against his neck and inhale deeply, the scent of him filling my lungs, making me cling to him even more. Then I realise Finn has stopped kissing me.

Author Bio:

Sarah is the author of Hunting Lila (winner of the Kingston Book Award), Losing Lila, Fated, The Sound, Out of Control and Conspiracy Girl (all Simon & Schuster).

Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home (a journey that was documented on this blog and which is shortly to be turned into a book).

After almost a year spent travelling the world, they settled in Bali where they lived for five beautiful years before the vagabonding urge became too great and they decided to embark on Can We Live Here part two. They are currently located somewhere between India, London, Canada and the US.

As well as writing young adult novels and screenplays, Sarah also writes adult fiction for Pan Macmillan (Simon & Schuster in the US) under the name Mila Gray.

Her first adult novel, Come Back To Me, was published in June 2014. The second, This One Moment, will be out in August 2015.

Sarah has co-written the Hunting Lila screenplay, which is currently in the early stages of production, and continues to blog about her life and travels.

Author links:

Facebook : Goodreads :  Twitter : Website

Giveaway

Giveaway is International and four prizes are up for grabs!

1 prize of 1 x signed copy of Out of Control, 1 x signed CG, 1 x signed The Sound, signed bookmarks

2 prizes of signed copies of CG, signed bookmarks

1 prize of having a character named after you in next book

a Rafflecopter giveaway

UK/ Aus vs US cover contest / Giveaway - Out of Control by Sarah Alderson

I always love to see the different covers when it comes to US vs UK / Australian editions so it would be awesome to hear your thoughts on OUT OF CONTROL by the wonderfully talented 
YA / NA author Sarah Alderson. 

I read this book back in May so I'd love to give one commenter the opportunity to win a copy to see how fabulous it is.

My review

UK / AUSTRALIAN EDITION

US EDITION

My review

Author: Sarah Alderson

Series: Standalone

Pages: 320

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release date: 22^nd May 2014

Amazon – TBD

Synopsis: (Goodreads)

When 17 year old Liva witnesses a brutal murder she’s taken into police custody for her own protection. But when the police station is attacked and bullets start flying it becomes clear that Liva is not just a witness, she’s a target.

Together with a car thief called Jay, Liva manages to escape the massacre but now the two of them are alone in New York, trying to outrun and outwit two killers who will stop at nothing to find them.

When you live on the edge, there’s a long way to fall.

For the chance to win a copy, complete the rafflecopter form below - the only mandatory requirement is that you leave a comment on my review of Out of Control, all other options aren't a requirement but it's always great to gain a few extra entries. {please read T&C's}

**What cover do you prefer? AUS/UK or US?**

About the author: Mila Gray is the pen name for Sarah Alderson, author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila, The Sound, Fated and Out of Control.

Originally from London she has lived in Bali for the last four years with her husband and daughter.

As well as writing young adult fiction under the name Sarah Alderson and adult fiction under the name Mila Gray, she also writes screenplays.

You can find out more at www.milagray.comand on facebook:www.facebook.com/sarahjalderson

Excerpt: Come Back To Me by Mila Gray AKA Sarah Alderson

I am pleased to be able to share with you today an excerpt from Sarah Alderson AKA Mila Gray’s fabulous New Adult novel, Come Back To Me published by Pan Macmillan.

Author: Sarah Alderson / Mila Gray

Series: Standalone

Pages: 373

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Release date: 19^th June 2014

Amazon – TBD

Synopsis: (Goodreads)

Home on leave in sunny California, Marine and local lothario Kit Ryan finds himself dangerously drawn to his best friend's sister, Jessa - the one girl he can't have.

But Kit's not about to let a few obstacles stand in his way and soon Jessa's falling for his irresistible charms.

What starts out as a summer romance of secret hook-ups and magical first times quickly develops into a passionate love affair that turns both their worlds upside down.

When summer's over and it's time for Kit to redeploy, neither Kit nor Jessa are ready to say goodbye. Jessa's finally following her dreams and Kit's discovered there's someone he'd sacrifice everything for.

Jessa's prepared to wait for Kit no matter what. But when something more than distance and time rips them apart they're forced to decide whether what they have is really worth fighting for.

A breathtaking, scorchingly hot story about love, friendship, family and finding your way back from the edge of heartbreak.

JESSA

A whorl in the glass distorts the picture, like a thumbprint smear over a lens. I’m halfway down the stairs, gathering my hair into a ponytail, thoughts a million miles away, when the blur outside the window pulls me up short.

I take another step, the view clears, and when I realize what I’m seeing, who I’m seeing, my stomach plummets, the air leaving my lungs like a final exhalation. My arms fall slowly to my sides. My brain fights my body’s instinct to turn and run back upstairs, to tear into the bathroom and lock the door. I’m frozen. This moment . . . this is the one you dream about, play over in your mind, the darkest of daydreams, one furnished by movies and by real-life stories you’ve overheard your whole life.

You imagine over and over how you’ll cope, what you’ll say, how you’ll act at that moment when you open the door and find them standing there. You pray to every God you can dream up that this moment won’t ever happen. You make bargains, promises, offer pleas, demands, desperate barters. And you live each day with the murmur of those prayers playing on a loop in the background of your mind, an endless chant. And then the moment happens and you realize it was all for nothing. The prayers went unheard. There was no bargain to make. Was it your fault? Did you fail to keep your promise?

Time seems to have slowed. Kit’s father hasn’t moved. He’s standing at the end of the driveway staring up at the house, squinting against the early morning glare. He’s wearing his Dress Blues. It’s that fact which registered before all else, which told me all I needed to know. That and the fact he is here at all. Kit’s father has never once been to the house. There is only one reason why he would ever come.

He hasn’t taken a step and I will him not to. I will him to turn around and get back into the dark sedan car sitting at the curb. A shadowy figure in uniform sits at the wheel. Please. Get back in and drive away. I start making futile bargains again with some nameless god. If he gets back in the car and drives away I’ll do anything. But he doesn’t. He takes a step, heading down the driveway towards the house, and that’s when I know for certain that either Riley or Kit is dead.

A scream, or maybe a sob, tries to struggle up my throat, but it’s blocked by a solid wave of nausea. I grab for the bannister to stay upright. Who? Which one? My brother or my boyfriend? Oh god. Oh god. My legs are shaking. I watch Kit’s father walk slowly up the drive, head bowed.

Memories, images, words, flicker through my mind like scratched fragments of film: Kit’s arms around my waist drawing me closer, our first kiss under the cover of darkness just by the back door, the smile on his face the first time we slept together, the blue of his eyes lit up by the sparks from a Chinese lantern, the fierceness in his voice when he told me he was going to love me forever.

Come back to me. That was the very last thing I said to him. Come back to me.

Always. The very last thing he said to me.

Then I see Riley. As a kid throwing a toy train down the stairs, dive bombing in the pool, holding my hand at our grandfather’s funeral, grinning and high-fiving Kit after they’d enlisted. The snapshot of him in his uniform on graduation day. The circles under his eyes the last time I saw him.

The door buzzes. I jump. But I stay where I am, frozen halfway up the stairs. If I don’t answer the door maybe he’ll go away. Maybe this won’t be happening. But the bell sounds again. And then I hear footsteps on the landing above me. My mother’s voice, sleepy and confused. ‘Jessa? Who is it? Why are you just standing there?’

Then she sees. She glances through the window and I hear the intake of air, the ragged ‘no’ she utters in response. She too knows that a military car parked outside the house at seven a.m. can signify only one thing.

I turn to her. Her hand is pressed to her mouth. Standing in her nightdress, her hair unbrushed, the blood rushing from her face, she looks like she’s seen a ghost. No. That’s wrong. She looks like she is a ghost.

The bell rings for a third time.

‘Get the door Jessa,’ my mother says in a strange voice, one I don’t recognize. It startles me enough that I start to walk down the stairs. I feel calmer all of a sudden, like I’m floating outside of my body. This can’t be happening. It’s not real. It’s just a dream.

I find myself standing somehow in front of the door. I unlock it. I open it. Kit. Riley. Kit. Riley. Their names circle my mind like birds of prey in a cloudless blue sky. Kit. Riley. Which is it? Is Kit’s father here at seven in the morning wearing his Dress Blues and his Chaplain insignia, to tell us that my brother has been killed in action or that his son – my boyfriend – has been killed in action? He would come either way. He would want to be the one to tell me. He would want to be the one to tell my mom.

Kit’s father blinks at me. He has been crying. His eyes are red, his cheeks wet. He is still crying in fact. I watch the tears slide down his face and realize that I’ve never seen him cry before. It automatically makes me want to comfort him but even if I could find the words my throat is so dry I couldn’t speak them.

‘Jessa,’ Kit’s father says in a husky voice.

I hold onto the doorframe, keeping my back straight. I’m aware that my mother has followed me down the stairs, is standing right behind me. Kit’s father glances at her over my shoulder. He takes a deep breath, lifts his chin and removes his hat before his eyes flicker back to me.

‘I’m sorry,’ he says.

‘Who?’ I hear myself ask. ‘Who is it?’

About the author: Mila Gray is the pen name for Sarah Alderson, author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila, The Sound, Fated and Out of Control.

Originally from London she has lived in Bali for the last four years with her husband and daughter.

As well as writing young adult fiction under the name Sarah Alderson and adult fiction under the name Mila Gray, she also writes screenplays.

You can find out more at www.milagray.com and on facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahjalderson

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