Friday, March 4, 2011

Book Review: Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba



Sink or SwimSink or Swim by Stacy Juba
Publisher: Mainly Murder Press
Publish Date: January 1, 2011
Paperback, 248 pages 
Suspense
ISBN: 978-0982795224



My Review:
Why I read this: I'm intrigued by reality shows, though I only watch one.  We have watched Survivor since it's second season so when the author offered between her books, I chose this one.

My thoughts: Sink or Swim is a very interesting book.  It seems like a pretty simple premise.  Cassidy, the main character, returns from being on a reality show and of course her life changes. Some changes are for the better but it seems she has picked up a stalker along the way.  But the book is not just the mystery of who the stalker is and what will happen. It's also about Cassidy and watching her grow and change during the course of the book. 

I really enjoyed the character development from Cassidy.  She's not one-dimensional, the author really brings her out through the book. As she is set against different characters that come into her life I learned more and more about her as she does so herself.  I think the characterization is very important to this book and made it even more enjoyable to me.

The mystery element is also well-done.  I kept trying to guess through the book who the stalker was, then I would change my mind.  I have to say I didn't see the end coming and I'm glad.  I like that enough options were presented that even when you thought you knew who it was suddenly you changed your mind.  Ms. Juba does an excellent job of plotting this book out.  It never lagged.  From the first page until the last I found it hard to put down.  It went at just the right speed, I never felt things were hurried or too slow.

If you enjoy a good mystery with great characters then Sink or Swim is the book for you.  The reality show element is really in the background so if you hate reality shows don't let this put you off of an excellent book.  If you love reality shows, this is a great book with the reality show in the background.  Either way - it's a good book and will entertain you for several hours.  I cannot find fault with this book at all, the writing is well-done, the characters interesting, and the mystery stimulating.  An excellent book for a weekend or weeknight read!
 
My Rating: 4.75/5.0


About the Book:

When reality TV turns to murder, it's sink, swim or die. Ambitious personal trainer Cassidy Novak has gained national fame for starring on Sink or Swim, nicknamed SOS, a hit reality game show set aboard a Tall Ship. She hopes the prize money will help to launch her dream of owning a chain of fitness centers. 

Not only does she lose the competition and have to walk the plank in the finale, after the game show ends, the terror begins. Upon returning to her small Massachusetts hometown, Cassidy discovers she has attracted a stalker masterminding his own twisted game. She struggles to focus on her health club job and celebrity endorsement opportunities, but her stalker has other plans. As her former competitors get knocked off one-by-one, Cassidy refuses to play by his bizarre rules.


She's also being shadowed by hunky photographer Zach Gallagher, who has been assigned to capture her personal moments for a spread in the local newspaper. She wants to trust Zach, but fears he may not be the nice guy that he seems. With or without Zach's help, when the stalker forces a showdown by threatening her family, Cassidy must once again walk the plank - this time for her life.


About the Author: 

Award-winning writer Stacy Juba is the author of arresting mysteries from light to literary, ideal for book clubs or the beach. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY is now available in paperback and in multiple ebook formats. Her brand new reality TV show-themed mystery SINK OR SWIM is also available. She is also the author of the new patriotic children's picture book THE FLAG KEEPER.

Her young adult novel FACE-OFF was published by Avon Books when she was 18 years old under her maiden name, Stacy Drumtra. Stacy welcomes Goodreads friend invitations from fellow book lovers.
FTC Information: I received this book from the author for a honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.



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