Sink or Swim [NOOK Book]

OK for a summer afternoon

This was an OK read. A bit predictable with a twist or two.

sink or swim

i got thiscas a member givaway on librarything. a thrilling read. i myself am not a huge fan of reality television,but i did enjoy this book. Cassidy lost the show 'sink or swim' slowly her previous competetors are dying and shes being staalked by a mysterious person who will stop at nothing to get her. i dont want to give too much else away so you'll have to read this one for yourself. a thriling book full mysteries and suspense

Very engaging!

Being a fan of "Survivor," I was really interested in reading this book so that I could get a sense of what life is really like when a reality star returns home. The main character is Cassidy Novak who came in 2nd place on the reality tv show, "Sink or Swim." Cassidy doesn't have much peace and quiet when she gets home because she is now recognized when she goes out in public. Cassidy soon finds out that she has a stalker. That is where the story takes us.... on the trail of the stalker and finding out who it is. I thought this book was very well written and very engaging. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. The main character, Cassidy, is flawed and human and that is what makes her interesting. How she handles her stalker and her new fame kept me interested. I would definitely recommend this book!

Sink or Swim

Sudden riches and newfound fame are both a notorious way to attract people trying to befriend you for all the wrong reasons. Cassidy Novak returns home to her old job after narrowly missing the big prize on a reality show. She hopes to find a way to leverage her 15 minutes of fame into enough money to start her own business. Then she discovers the downside, with people making claims on her time she doesn't want to give, and a stalker, who could be one of many different people.

With the rise of reality shows over the last several years, I'm surprised no one has used the premise of "Sink or Swim" before now. It has all the ingredients for a good story. Someone experiencing the changes that come with sudden fame is a magnet for crazies and those who hope to ride their coattails. Those who are smart, as Cassidy is, are aware of this, which increases their natural suspicions about other people's motives. Juba takes full advantage of the potential in this premise to maintain the tension throughout.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

A must read!

Stacy Juba is skilled at the art of writing a scene and making the reader feel the tension and suspense. When I began reading the book about a young girl, Cassidy Novak, who was a star of a reality show and then becomes concerned about a stalker, I was slightly concerned that 'Sink or Swim' would be just another forgettable run-of-the-mill story. But Juba is a professional. She has the reader right where she wants them, one minute Cassidy is concerned about her stalker, the next we are caught up in a multi-layered mystery where Cassidy is at the centre and I could feel the danger she was in. It's a gripping and enthralling read. At times, I was so engrossed in the book that I wanted to jump inside and save Cassidy... that is how adept Juba is at creating real characters and suspenseful storylines. I highly recommend this read from a rising star in the murder mystery genre.
The story deals with family relationships, the impact of reality shows on people's lives, obsession, love, trust, and of course murder!

Fun Mystery

Sink or Swim is a fun murder mystery. Stacy has a light touch with the murder part of the story, focusing mostly on Cassidy's personal struggles and unexpected romance. Let me back up just a bit and give you an intro to the story.

Cassidy is a contestant on a reality show, Sink or Swim. She comes in second, losing out to a big jerk. She has to return home with nothing when she was hoping to win the million dollars and use it to open her own fitness gym. But instead, she goes back to work for the local gym as a trainer. Her celebrity status does seem to be opening a few doors, but not enough. Cassidy is frustrated and depressed. And then the jerk turns up murdered. Is someone stalking the contestants on the show? Cassidy gets some creepy fan mail that scares her into going to the police. Her life spirals out of control as the stalker closes in. Who is he, really? And how big of a threat?

How's that for a teaser? I enjoyed the book. I empathized with Cassidy's problems and found myself rooting for her. With a cast of well-drawn characters, Stacy leaves you guessing until the end. Who is the stalker? Cassidy begins to suspect everyone. I followed along, believing and questioning with Cassidy as she tried to build a normal life after her fling with fame on reality tv. If you're looking for a fast and fun read, pick up Sink or Swim. You won't be disappointed.

A Great Read

You always hear how great reality TV is, turning ordinary people into celebrities practically overnight. I'm sure we have all watched one reality TV show or another. But what happens when those 'stars' return back to their normal lives? In Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba, Cassidy Novak fought her way to the finals on the reality TV show Sink or Swim. She is disappointed when she realizes that she has lost the show, including the million dollar prize money that would help pay off her debt and open a chain of fitness centers. Being the character that everyone loves, she bravely walks the plank and plunges into the cold water below, all while staying strong for the sake of appearances. Once back to her small hometown, she realizes that her days in the lime light are far from over. Not only does everyone recognize her, but Cassidy must also deal with a crazed stalker who will do anything to win her love, even if that means murder. When things can't seem to get any more confusing for Cassidy, she must also struggle with feelings for the handsome photographer who is doing a story on her and a previous contestant on the show who happens to be engaged. Can Cassidy trust her instincts to save not only herself but those closest to her, or will she end up a loser in reality? Sink or Swim is a quick read and is one of those books that sucks you in and won't let you stop reading until the very end. Will you guess right as to who the stalker really is? Read Sink or Swim to find out!

A must read!

Once again Stacy succeeded in not only hooking me by the end of the first page but also in surprising me with "who dunnit"! The only reason it took me three days to read this book is because I had to go to work and take care of my family in between reading sessions! She made Cassidy so real that I even worried about her when I wasn't reading the book. An absolute must read!

Reality Shows Can Be Deadly

Sink or Swim
Author Stacy Juba

Reality shows can be hazardous to your health and welfare. Some require that you perform dangerous tasks that can cause bodily harm. Others require that you make a fool of yourself in front of millions of people. Many people are willing to risk life, limb and dignity just to win huge monetary prizes at the end. But, what would happen if you were told that losing meant walking the plank, getting soaking wet and being embarrassed in front of the viewer that are watching the show. Even worse, being interviewed on camera by reporters after you get dried off? How far would you go to win one million dollars? Join Cassidy Novak, personal trainer as she takes the reader on a terrifying journey into the water and find out if she sinks or swims.

Cassidy Novak was a contestant on a hit reality show called Sink or Swim. Losing and coming in second was nothing compared to what happens when she returns home? Fans go overboard with their demonstration of admiration for her. Returning to work she is swamped with new clients and her boss can't wait to give her a raise and hope that she will bring in the profits for his gym. But, these over zealous fans will shake the very foundation that she trains on.

As little things begin to happen she senses that someone might be following her. Neighbors telling her of cars or vans that are parked near her apartment she begins to sense that she might be followed. Notes of affection follow, hang-ups, gifts sent to her home are definite causes for alarm. Going to police and enlisting their cannot seem to stop whoever is after her. But, the stalker steps up his game when two former contestants of Sink or Swim are killed and things start to heat up and take a different turn. More mementos from her childhood are sent to her, letters, cookies in order to taunt her sending chill down her spine, Cassidy fears for her life. Who is this stalker who calls himself Miles? What are his real motives? Just who else is involved? This reviewer will not reveal.

Followed by a reporter named Zach, whose reasons for pursuing her are not what they seem, although assigned to capture all of her personal time and movements for the local newspaper keeps her centered for a while? Encouraged by her agent to take bookings and leave herself wide open for the killer, Cassidy is torn between a rock and a hard place hoping to learn the killer's identity and yet not hiding from her life. When her mother's house is ransacked and the only things taken were photos of her Cassidy decides to enlist more help.

Feeling she has nowhere to turn Cassidy moves in with her stepfather but even that does not keep her safe from harm. Deciding to leave town all together and go to somewhere isolated she stays with her stepfather's aunt and uncle in order to remain safe. But, is she? Telling no one where she has gone how does one old friend find her? How does this stalker know her every move and remain two steps ahead of everyone involved? Step one is learning to shoot a gun and getting a license to do so. Leaving her home was just a temporary fix and Cassidy realizes she cannot remain a recluse forever and needs to move ahead with her life and end this nightmare once and for all. But, can a weapon really solve the problem? Pursing the killer on her own, asking questions of the family's of the victims solidifies her suspicions that the killer is getting close and will strike again. Thinking Zach is the one pers

Loved It!

What motivates a stalker? And what do you do once you have one? Cassidy Novak finds out when she goes on a reality TV show. Cassidy hopes to win the million dollar prize so that she can start her own chain of businesses. After the show, she is shocked to find that she has gained a few obsessed fans, as well as a stalker.

With Sink or Swim, Stacy Juba takes a look at our reality TV craze. Whether you enjoy reality shows or not, it's hard to miss the famous and the infamous that these shows create. Sink or Swim takes us behind the scenes and shows us what happens after the cameras have stopped filming.

Stacy Juba has a knack for showing us, rather than telling us, a story. In find myself easily getting lost in her fictional world. This is a fun read, with mystery, suspense and a little romance. And it would make a great movie!

Highly Recommend - you wont want to put it down.

Sink or Swim, I was honored enough to get an advanced copy of this book and have been dying to write this review.
I started reading it and thought, wow an inside view of the life of a reality "star". I enjoy reality TV, let's see how "tough" their life really is after appearing on TV.
Cassidy has the misfortune of being the "runner-up" and must walk the plank in the season finale. Not only is she disappointed but her #1 fan is very unhappy about these results and decides it's not fair.
Cassidy is the contestant everyone loves, personable, friendly, all around nice person, which makes her the perfect target.
Cassidy has a stalker who not only thinks she should have won, but also that they should be together, what stalker doesn't think that!
Upon arriving home to her job as a personal trainer, and her loving family, she is asked by the local paper to do a follow-up story on the life of Cassidy Novak, local girl makes it on reality show. Now she has a photographer following her around, he's mysterious, handsome, and she knows very little about him! While on the show she has a connection with one of the other competitors, who happens to be engaged! The winner of SOS is the obnoxious Reggie, the guy everyone loves to HATE!
So we have at least 3 potential stalkers or might they be victims of the stalker.
You will enjoy the connection she has with her family, her clients, and her NEW number 1 fan.
There are little twists and turns and ups and downs, and this is really a great book. Great storyline, and written by a fabulous writer!

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