Deceived

It's Saturday!  A day to sleep in, relax, and have fun OR run errands, clean the house, do laundry, and yard work (yuck)!  I spent the day working on a review that is giving me a hard time and a special project in honor of Father's Day.  This is our first Father's Day without my father, Gene and it is going to be a difficult day. Are you ready for Father's Day?  If you still have your father (or a father figure) in your life, make sure to tell him how special he is to you!

Deceived by Heather Sunseri is the fifth book in the Mindspeak series.  Brianna Howard has just graduated from high school and she is not sure what she wants to do with her future.  Bree has decided to visit Jonas Whitmeyer on Palmyra (an island).  But Jonas knows that Brianna needs to decide what she wants to do with her life and pushes her away.  Jonas does not want Bree staying on Palmyra for him (not that they talk to each other about the situation).  Jonas feels he needs to stay on the island to clean up the mess his mother, Sandra, made and he needs to figure out why clones are dying.  Then Bree checks on two sick clones and sees something that sends her running back to Portland.  Jonas and friends go after Bree (thanks to Raven’s ability to find clones) to see if they can help her (she does not want help).  Something is going on at Howard BioTech that involves clones (tracker devices).  Bree tries to cozy up to Vance Carrington (VP of Operations), but Vance ends up dead.  Bree is the prime suspect and the police are out to arrest her.  Bree must now team up with Jonas to get answers (especially since they have the police and IIA agents trying to find them).  What is going on at Howard BioTech?  Is Bree’s father involved?  Can Jonas and Bree find out what is going on?  Who is trying to frame Bree for murder?

I found it difficult to summarize Deceived.  There is quite a bit going on in this novel (I just gave you a small summary).  Deceived can be read as a stand-alone book if you have not enjoyed the previous novels in the series (I have read three of the five books and the other two our in my TBR pile).  The author does a good job of summarizing prior events.  Though reading the novels would be helpful (and they are pleasurable to read).  There are two things that I did not like about the book.  One is that too much of the story (the first half of the book) was devoted to the romance (or possible romance) between Jonas and Brianna.  They each went on about their attraction, their looks, etc.  The other was the alternating chapters.  One chapter told from Brianna’s point-of-view and the next from Jonas’.  This went all through the whole book.  I found it distracting.  I wish the story had been written in the third person (makes for an easier to read novel).  I give Deceived 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  Technically, Deceived is a young (or new) adult novel, but I think that older readers will enjoy the story (like myself).  I will definitely be reading future books by Heather Sunseri.

Deceived will be out on Monday, June 20.  The other four book in the Mindspeak series are Mindspeak, Mindsiege, Mindsurge, and Tracked. I received a complimentary copy of Deceived from the author in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.  I will always provide an honest and forthright review.

I want to thank all of you for your support.  I really do appreciate you stopping by (taking time out of your day) to read my book reviews.  I am just finishing up Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax and then I am starting Sweet as Honey by Jennifer Beckstrand.  I am off to finish my special project (tell you about it tomorrow) and cook dinner.  May all of you have an enjoyable evening!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader