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Monday, February 4, 2013

Review and Giveaway of Heather Sunseri's Mindspeak!

Heather Sunseri is a fresh voice in the Young Adult genre that you aren't going to want to miss. I'm happy to call her a friend, and honored to be able to read her debut novel and review it for my readership.

If you like romance, mystery, fantasy, and plot twists, then you've got to pick this book up.

Here's a blurb from Heather's website:

She was created for a purpose so revolutionary, someone was willing to kill for it.

Seventeen-year-old Lexi Matthews keeps two secrets from her elite boarding school classmates—she’s the daughter of a famous and controversial geneticist, and she can influence people’s thoughts.

But after new student Jack DeWeese heals her broken arm with an anything-but-simple touch, he forces Lexi to face a new reality—her abilities reach much further than speaking to the minds of others.

After Lexi’s father goes missing and she receives threatening emails, she can’t decide whether to fall into Jack’s arms or run and hide.

As Lexi seeks answers to what she and Jack are, she discovers a truth more unsettling than anything her science books can teach. And letting Jack into her life of secrets is not only a threat to her very existence, but it just might break her heart wide open.

Heather's story is so unique...I've never read anything about genetic alterations and cloning, and how that fits within a spiritual, ethical, and moral discussion about purpose. I love a book that sparks debate within not only myself, but between me and other folk. I found myself discussing the premise of this book over breakfast with my husband. (Of course, he mainly just rolls his eyes at any and all talk of books that don't involve fishing, hunting, or rock climbing.)

The book isn't as far out there fantasy-wise as you might think, given the strides in science that the world has already taken. I mean, just the other day I found out one of my clients was actually born 8 years before she was inseminated into her mother. Turns out her oldest sister was conceived at the same time and their parents decided to wait to implant my client's embryo until later. Whoa! Cutting edge science stuff is happening all around us and I think most of us go about in our bubble, completely unaware.  

The romance between Lexi and Jack unfolds sweetly, and I wasn't disappointed with their chemistry! Heather's voice captures Lexi perfectly in first person point of view, and the reader is taken along a merry mysterious journey with her. I bought this book the very first day I could when it went up on Amazon, and had finished it by the next day (yes, I snuck in some reading time at work...thanks a lot, Heather...).

I think above all, Mindspeak will reach out to teens who are trying to find their place in the world. Teens regularly struggle with purpose, as they try to differentiate from their parents. Parents the world over set about having children and sidling them with expectations, while many teens ride the precipice of trying to please them versus striking out on their own. It's got a universal appeal to it that I think will make people stand up and take notice of a new author on the e-book scene!

I, for one, will be lining up to read Book Two, as this is the first in a series, and the stories of Lexi and Jack are nowhere near complete.

To pick up Mindspeak, visit these retailer's links:  

But one lucky commenter who follows my blog will get an e-book copy for free! Just answer the question below and leave your email. Giveaway open world-wide!

Let's Analyze

Have you ever gotten into a debate about cloning, stem cell research or any other genetics-type topic? Did things get heated?

Comments (13)

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So excited for Heather. I have my copy in my Kindle waiting & I can't wait to get to it!
~ Wendy
Great review, Jeannie! I don't know if I've been in a debate about it but I do enjoy fiction with those topics involved. I can't wait to read her book!
I totally love this review, Jeannie!! You captured so many elements of what I thought about while I wrote the story. Thank you!!!
Reading Mindspeak right now! It's not my usual read, but I'm really enjoying it! Heather's good with all the mystery...darn her! ;) Must read faster!
This story sounds like a fresh twist of lime in the orangeade world of YA. I can't wait to read it. (As for the cloning debates, I've gotten in them but only around people who all thought the same way! You'd think that people would discuss calmly when they're all pretty much on the same page, but it's amazing how these things escalate...)
canyondan's avatar

canyondan · 622 weeks ago

Yes, a recent discussion regarding rampage and serial type killers got very heated when I suggested that "gun control and God Thought" will not solve the problem. I went on to point out that the world has far more abused, abandoned, psychopathic, psychotic individuals, than there are killings; not everyone kills that has a serious problem. I suggested that a profile be set up to isolate the characteristics of potential killers, and when individuals reach a specified percentage of the criterion a genetic comparison be done between them, known serial / rampage killers and non-threatening individuals. With the goal of isolating the gene that creates the killer, helping these individuals and protecting the innocent.

The thought wasn't received well, "too invasive", "what if people found out", I was cliche'd into submission.
1 reply · active 622 weeks ago
I LOVE it! You should write this book, canyondan.
I just visited Amazon and read the first available pages. I'll purchase this afternoon, and I'm very excited to read.
no, i don't remember debating this subject...a great posting...this book sounds amazing :)
OK, I totally want to read this book now. In terms of debates on cloning and genetic engineering, I TA'ed intro to genetics labs and human genetics for quite a few semesters. I had one class where we approached the pros and cons of cloning. I queried the students before the discussion and then after the discussion to see whether the dialog changed their minds about the subject. (I was naive). Needless to say, their views were the same when they showed up and when they left. The subject is not as cut and dry as it seems.

Now, about your friend... I great premise for a story would be if the embryos were twins and one was held for 8 years. How crazy would it be for identical twins to be born that far apart?
2 replies · active 622 weeks ago
I would love to take those classes! I'm fascinated by the subject. Well, obviously...
I bought your book after reading the free sample. It's very engaging, although I was confused about the timeline at the beginning. Anyway, looking forward to the rest of the book. Blessings!
I haven't gotten into a debate over those topics on purpose--it's so controversial, and everyone has their own opinions that we can't change, so what's the use in arguing? People aren't too good at respect these days. :( But I love reading about controversial topics! This book sounds great, would love to read it!

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