I read two books by Hunter Morgan earlier this year and really enjoyed them, so when looking over my shelves, I decided to pick this one up. I enjoyed it and give it a B+.
Back cover:
Vineyard manager Rachel Gibson's once-blissful marriage crashed to an end with the imprisonment of her husband following a series of senseless tragedies that peaked one night on a bloody stretch of Delaware highway. Five years later, Noah's coming home, and Rachel wonders if he'll be able to piece together some kind of life, with or without her help...
But the Noah who returns is a virtual stranger, a mere shadow of the man Rachel once loved. And he may be more changed that she realizes. People around town are dying- grisly, torturous deaths- and the hands of someone making them "pay" for their secret sins. And who better to know the victims' deepest secrets than their local clergyman... the former Reverend Noah Gibson?
As body after body is discovered, Rachel can't let go of a sickening snense that the killer's twisted path is pointing in her direction. And to stop the next slaying before it begins, Rachel will have to face her worst nightmare- a terror born of the darkest power of all...
While this book is classified as a romantic suspense, I wouldn't really call it that. There are a few little romance subplots running through the story, but none of the usual cliches that bother me and not whole chapters of the romance taking over the story. It was perfectly done if you ask me. There were several red herrings thrown out throughout the story which I always enjoy and there were a lot of suspects that I kept going back and forth with. The murderer was a surprise, but once I started thinking about it, the more it made sense to me. Hunter Morgan hits another win with me, and I will continue to read more books by the author.
I am pretty sure I have finished the RYOB challenge, in which I said I wanted to read 50 books I owned. I need to count up my final tally, but I know it's over 50 and there are still slightly less than 2 weeks left in 2009. I don't think I am going to be entering any official challenges this upcoming year because I really didn't do a good job of reporting updates, but I think I will do my own little mini-challenges including reading 50 of my own books again and 50 library books. I doubt I will hit my goal of reading 135 books this year (I'm at 128 right now, so I guess it's possible, but unlikely) but I am going to shoot for that again next year. I am officially on break now, and almost have all my Christmas shopping done so bring on the books! Happy Reading everyone!
Showing posts with label RYOB challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RYOB challenge. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
I'll Be Watching You by Samuel M. Key
I'll Be Watching You is an older book which was published in 1990. At times you can tell, but it really didn't bother me. A good book that I've had on my shelves for awhile that deals with stalking, I decided to pick it up and give it a go. I should have finished it much earlier this week, but as life has a tendency to get in the way, I just finished it this afternoon. I give it a B.
Back cover:
Rachel Sorensen feared she would never escape the abuse of her ex-husband. Until a passing stranger came to her rescue. A stranger who watched her from afar. He was a photographer and collector of beautiful things. And Rachel was his perfect subject. He lived only to make her happy. And eliminate those who didn't. Once he used his camera to trap Rachel's beauty forever. Now he wanted something more. She owed him for life. And tonight he will collect on his debt...
As I mentioned, this was an old book and it in some spots it showed, but really didn't take anything away from the story. Rachel is a character that one has to have compassion for, after barely escaping from her absuive husband only to have him track her down time and time again. The reader is introduced to her guardain angel who turns out to not be the angel that Rachel thinks she is. As you read, you get an inside view of the psychopath's mind and why he is the way he is. The suspense builds throughout the story to a surprising ending. There was one part that was a bit unbelieveable, but I was able to overlook it. I have to see if Mr. Key has any more old books out there that I can read because this one was a spooky one.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. Today I went to the library and did some browsing and picked up 7 books to read over the Christmas break. The one district that I work in had the last day of school today, but another district goes until the 23rd. I am working Monday, but that will probably be it. I always do a project for my mom over break but I hope to have plenty of reading time as well. My hubby's birthday is Sunday, so of course there will be those festivities, but I plan on getting lots and lots of reading in. My cleaning is done for the weekend and my laundry is currently in the washer, so here's to a relaxing weekend before the hustle and bustle of the holidays! Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Rachel Sorensen feared she would never escape the abuse of her ex-husband. Until a passing stranger came to her rescue. A stranger who watched her from afar. He was a photographer and collector of beautiful things. And Rachel was his perfect subject. He lived only to make her happy. And eliminate those who didn't. Once he used his camera to trap Rachel's beauty forever. Now he wanted something more. She owed him for life. And tonight he will collect on his debt...
As I mentioned, this was an old book and it in some spots it showed, but really didn't take anything away from the story. Rachel is a character that one has to have compassion for, after barely escaping from her absuive husband only to have him track her down time and time again. The reader is introduced to her guardain angel who turns out to not be the angel that Rachel thinks she is. As you read, you get an inside view of the psychopath's mind and why he is the way he is. The suspense builds throughout the story to a surprising ending. There was one part that was a bit unbelieveable, but I was able to overlook it. I have to see if Mr. Key has any more old books out there that I can read because this one was a spooky one.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. Today I went to the library and did some browsing and picked up 7 books to read over the Christmas break. The one district that I work in had the last day of school today, but another district goes until the 23rd. I am working Monday, but that will probably be it. I always do a project for my mom over break but I hope to have plenty of reading time as well. My hubby's birthday is Sunday, so of course there will be those festivities, but I plan on getting lots and lots of reading in. My cleaning is done for the weekend and my laundry is currently in the washer, so here's to a relaxing weekend before the hustle and bustle of the holidays! Happy Reading everyone!
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Kill by Allison Brennan
I have had The Kill and several other Allison Brennan books on my shelves for far too long and decided to finally finish out this triliogy. The Kill is the third and final book in a loosely connected series featuring three women who went through the FBI Training Academy together and years ago I read The Prey and The Hunt. The Kill was a bit scary and a bit suspensful peppered with romance. I give it a B.
Back cover:
For thirty years, FBI scientist Olivia St. Martin has lived with guilt and one abiding certainty- that while she wasn't able to save her sister's life, she did testify and helped to convict the rapist and killer. When shocking new evidence exonerates the man Olivia is sure she saw abduct her sister, she breaks every rule in the book to uncover the truth.
Driven by the possibilty that she put the wrong man behind bars, Olivia discovers that a serial killer has been at large all these years. Believing that the monster has just struck again in Seattle, Olivia leaves her lab and poses as a field agent, sharing her unofficial investigation with a hardworking Seattle cop. Olivia doesn't want to lie to detective Zack Travis. And she certainly doesn't want to fall in love. But as the investigation intensifies, Oliva and Zack find they are rapidly losing control- over their hearts, their secrets, and a case that threatens to consume them.
I just really am not a fan of romantic suspense. While I used to really enjoy romance novels, they became a bit predictible and dry to me, so I ended up reading more mysteries and suspense. The Kill had a great premise and the villian was certainly a scary one, but the romance part could have been left out for me. I admit there were parts that I completely skimmed and skipped over, but that was because they weren't part of the story that I was reading for... the monster who is abducting and killing young girls across the country. The book itself probably could have be done in about 50 pages or so less if part of the romance between Zack and Olivia had been toned down and usual cliches were eliminated. With all of that being said, I still did enjoy the mystery and the way it was solved. I do have more of Ms. Brennan's books on my shelves and will continue to read her books, but maybe next time it will be when I am more in the mood for a bit of romance.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I need to run by the library and drop a book off, so perhaps I will do a bit of browsing or I will just pull a book off of my own shelves. I am going to the Wings game again tonight (this was a surprise but a pleasant one!) and need to run up to the grocery store along with finishing up some last minute chores around the house. I worked this morning and was hoping to get some Chrismtas shopping done, but that hasn't turned out the way I wanted so maybe tomorrow. I hope everyone else is having a good start to the week and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
For thirty years, FBI scientist Olivia St. Martin has lived with guilt and one abiding certainty- that while she wasn't able to save her sister's life, she did testify and helped to convict the rapist and killer. When shocking new evidence exonerates the man Olivia is sure she saw abduct her sister, she breaks every rule in the book to uncover the truth.
Driven by the possibilty that she put the wrong man behind bars, Olivia discovers that a serial killer has been at large all these years. Believing that the monster has just struck again in Seattle, Olivia leaves her lab and poses as a field agent, sharing her unofficial investigation with a hardworking Seattle cop. Olivia doesn't want to lie to detective Zack Travis. And she certainly doesn't want to fall in love. But as the investigation intensifies, Oliva and Zack find they are rapidly losing control- over their hearts, their secrets, and a case that threatens to consume them.
I just really am not a fan of romantic suspense. While I used to really enjoy romance novels, they became a bit predictible and dry to me, so I ended up reading more mysteries and suspense. The Kill had a great premise and the villian was certainly a scary one, but the romance part could have been left out for me. I admit there were parts that I completely skimmed and skipped over, but that was because they weren't part of the story that I was reading for... the monster who is abducting and killing young girls across the country. The book itself probably could have be done in about 50 pages or so less if part of the romance between Zack and Olivia had been toned down and usual cliches were eliminated. With all of that being said, I still did enjoy the mystery and the way it was solved. I do have more of Ms. Brennan's books on my shelves and will continue to read her books, but maybe next time it will be when I am more in the mood for a bit of romance.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I need to run by the library and drop a book off, so perhaps I will do a bit of browsing or I will just pull a book off of my own shelves. I am going to the Wings game again tonight (this was a surprise but a pleasant one!) and need to run up to the grocery store along with finishing up some last minute chores around the house. I worked this morning and was hoping to get some Chrismtas shopping done, but that hasn't turned out the way I wanted so maybe tomorrow. I hope everyone else is having a good start to the week and Happy Reading!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
See Jane Run by Joy Fielding
I've been a fan of Ms. Fielding for awhile now and picked up See Jane Run from a library book sale awhile back. While trying to decide what to read next, this one caught my eye and I was off and reading. It was a good book and kept my heart racing at times. I give it a B.
Back cover:
Jane Whitaker has awakened to a nightmare. She doesn't know her name, her age... or even what she looks like. Frightened and confused, she wanders the streets of Boston wearing a blood-soaked blue dress- and carrying $10,000 in her pocket. Her life has become a vacaum- her past vanished... or stolen. And all that remains is a handsome, unsettling stranger who claims to be her husband, whispered rumors about a dead child whom she cannot recall... and a terrifying premonition that something truly horrible is about to occur.
See Jane Run spooked me a few different levels. Imagining myself waking up one day having no idea who I am, where I'm from and lost on the streets is quite frightening and Ms. Fielding does a fantastic job illustrating that. Once Jane returns home, bits and pieces of her past start returning and the fear doesn't let up. It's hard for Jane to know who to trust and it's hard for the reader to know who to trust as well. I couldn't imagine it. I liked Jane's character and was rooting for her the entire time. I thought Ms. Fielding did an excellent job of highlighting her fear and the real feelings that one must go through while suffering from amnesia. Though the book was written in 1990, it isn't too difficult to get into the story and there were only a few times when I had to remind myself, "No, she can't just go and look that number or address up on the internet." I think that is a sign of a good author, one who can write a book that is timeless for the ages. I know I'm always in for a good read when I pick up one Joy Fielding's books.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I am out of library books and didn't have a chance to run up there today. Between cleaning, including getting rid of so many clothes and old junk (why did I think it was necessary to keep shoes from the 90's?), grocery shopping, Christmas shopping and laundry I have been busy but now plan on kicking back tonight with a good book and perhaps some TIVOed shows and the Wings game. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekends and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
Jane Whitaker has awakened to a nightmare. She doesn't know her name, her age... or even what she looks like. Frightened and confused, she wanders the streets of Boston wearing a blood-soaked blue dress- and carrying $10,000 in her pocket. Her life has become a vacaum- her past vanished... or stolen. And all that remains is a handsome, unsettling stranger who claims to be her husband, whispered rumors about a dead child whom she cannot recall... and a terrifying premonition that something truly horrible is about to occur.
See Jane Run spooked me a few different levels. Imagining myself waking up one day having no idea who I am, where I'm from and lost on the streets is quite frightening and Ms. Fielding does a fantastic job illustrating that. Once Jane returns home, bits and pieces of her past start returning and the fear doesn't let up. It's hard for Jane to know who to trust and it's hard for the reader to know who to trust as well. I couldn't imagine it. I liked Jane's character and was rooting for her the entire time. I thought Ms. Fielding did an excellent job of highlighting her fear and the real feelings that one must go through while suffering from amnesia. Though the book was written in 1990, it isn't too difficult to get into the story and there were only a few times when I had to remind myself, "No, she can't just go and look that number or address up on the internet." I think that is a sign of a good author, one who can write a book that is timeless for the ages. I know I'm always in for a good read when I pick up one Joy Fielding's books.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I am out of library books and didn't have a chance to run up there today. Between cleaning, including getting rid of so many clothes and old junk (why did I think it was necessary to keep shoes from the 90's?), grocery shopping, Christmas shopping and laundry I have been busy but now plan on kicking back tonight with a good book and perhaps some TIVOed shows and the Wings game. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekends and Happy Reading!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Next Victim by Jonnie Jacobs
I have been in quite a reading slump and since my last post, I haven't read anything until Friday. Every time I went to go start a book, I would read a few paragraphs and put it down. I planned on getting some reading in over the holiday break and was busy shopping Thursday and Friday, and finally sat down and opened up The Next Victim on Saturday. By turning off the tv and computer, I was able to get into the book quickly and finished it today. I give it a B+.
Back cover:
When wealthy heiress Sloane Winslow is found murdered in her house along with the body of pretty college coed Olivia Perez, the evidence all points to one suspect, John O'Brien- San Francisco defense attorney Kali O'Brien's brother. The last time Kali spoke to John, he was desperate to tell her something but too drunk to get it out. Now he's dead, an apparent suicide by overdose...
Although Kali wasn't close to her brother, she can't believe he was capable of murder. But when she finds a clue hidden in his dictionary- a photo of three attractive young women, one of whom is the slain Olivia Perez, she realizes her brother had many secrets. And when one of the other women in the photo- a stripper and porn actress- is found brutally murdered in a ditch, Kali wonders if her brother really did commit suicide.
As Kali digs deeper for the truth, her search plunges her deep into the sex industry's hidden underworld. Now her only hope for solving the case lies in finding the last girl in the picture, a witness who knows far more than she should, maybe too much to live- and Kali has to get to her before she becomes the next victim...
This was a good book, though I had the killer figured out before the end of the book. Not too soon before the end of the book, but I suspected as much. I thought that Ms. Jacobs did a fantastic job of making all of the characters real and believeable, and even Kali was a bit annoying, she was real. I think Kali's job also allowed for to figure out a lot of the details of the case and gave her a good cover as to who she was and how she could investigate. Sometimes I feel like in suspense books there is a main character who figures out and solves a mystery and there is no way your average person could get all of that information. There were a few curve balls thrown into the story and they were good additions to the story. This is part of a series, and I am pretty sure it is in the middle of the series but it didn't seem to bother me as usual. I skimmed over a couple of paragraphs that talked about previous books in case I read any other books.
I am not sure what I am going to read next, but I do have some library books that I need to get to. My husband and I got new furniture from my way too generous mom today and they will be delivering it tomorrow. I need to get the old stuff out and vacaum and then tomorrow I have to sit around and wait for it, so hopefully I will get in some reading time. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
When wealthy heiress Sloane Winslow is found murdered in her house along with the body of pretty college coed Olivia Perez, the evidence all points to one suspect, John O'Brien- San Francisco defense attorney Kali O'Brien's brother. The last time Kali spoke to John, he was desperate to tell her something but too drunk to get it out. Now he's dead, an apparent suicide by overdose...
Although Kali wasn't close to her brother, she can't believe he was capable of murder. But when she finds a clue hidden in his dictionary- a photo of three attractive young women, one of whom is the slain Olivia Perez, she realizes her brother had many secrets. And when one of the other women in the photo- a stripper and porn actress- is found brutally murdered in a ditch, Kali wonders if her brother really did commit suicide.
As Kali digs deeper for the truth, her search plunges her deep into the sex industry's hidden underworld. Now her only hope for solving the case lies in finding the last girl in the picture, a witness who knows far more than she should, maybe too much to live- and Kali has to get to her before she becomes the next victim...
This was a good book, though I had the killer figured out before the end of the book. Not too soon before the end of the book, but I suspected as much. I thought that Ms. Jacobs did a fantastic job of making all of the characters real and believeable, and even Kali was a bit annoying, she was real. I think Kali's job also allowed for to figure out a lot of the details of the case and gave her a good cover as to who she was and how she could investigate. Sometimes I feel like in suspense books there is a main character who figures out and solves a mystery and there is no way your average person could get all of that information. There were a few curve balls thrown into the story and they were good additions to the story. This is part of a series, and I am pretty sure it is in the middle of the series but it didn't seem to bother me as usual. I skimmed over a couple of paragraphs that talked about previous books in case I read any other books.
I am not sure what I am going to read next, but I do have some library books that I need to get to. My husband and I got new furniture from my way too generous mom today and they will be delivering it tomorrow. I need to get the old stuff out and vacaum and then tomorrow I have to sit around and wait for it, so hopefully I will get in some reading time. Happy Reading everyone!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Dead Place by Rebecca Drake
Rebecca Drake is a relatively new-to-me author as I think I've only read two or three books by her. As a matter of fact, I think she only has published three books, but I hope she continues. I really liked The Dead Place and give it a B+.
Back cover:
The first victim is found floating in a creek- aked, beautiful, brutally garroted. Lily Locum was a college student with everything live for ad nothing to fear... until a madma made her his obsession...
At first glance, a quiet campus town like Wickfield seems like the ideal place for Kate Corbin to start over after a traumatic attack. But when another young girl disappears on her way to class, Kate's fear resurfaces in earnest. She's right to be afraid. Behind Wickfield's picture-perfect facade, a nightmare is unfolding... and it's about to strike chillingly close to home...
A serial killer is on the loose... ruthless, twisted, and lethally smart. Now locked in a desperate race against time, Kate's only chance of stopping a madman's grisly game is to venture deeper into a diabolical web where no one is who they seem to be... and the smallest mistake could be her last...
I love these suspense books where the main character is a typical, suburban mom placed into danger. I am not sure why, but perhaps it's because of the normalacy that is thrown out of whack. Kate has had a rough year and a half, but her and her family hope that the move to Wickfield will help change some of that, but of course it doesn't. I think there is a lot that the reader can relate to as well; a rebellious teenage daughter, marriage trying to stay together after quite a few years together, waking up every day facing the same mundane things. I had the killer figured out pretty early, but I suspect it was because I always suspect the least suspicious character. There were quite a few twisted things that this murderer does to his victims, but nothing that made it too difficult to read. I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Drake's books in the future. As a matter of fact, I am going to check for her website right now and see if there are any other books coming out any time soon!
Up next is a library book. I seem to be in a good groove, alternating between library books and my own. I am not sure which library book I will read, though it will probably be whichever one I grab. I have them in a magazine holder next to my reading chair and I think I will just reach over and let fate decide my next read. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
The first victim is found floating in a creek- aked, beautiful, brutally garroted. Lily Locum was a college student with everything live for ad nothing to fear... until a madma made her his obsession...
At first glance, a quiet campus town like Wickfield seems like the ideal place for Kate Corbin to start over after a traumatic attack. But when another young girl disappears on her way to class, Kate's fear resurfaces in earnest. She's right to be afraid. Behind Wickfield's picture-perfect facade, a nightmare is unfolding... and it's about to strike chillingly close to home...
A serial killer is on the loose... ruthless, twisted, and lethally smart. Now locked in a desperate race against time, Kate's only chance of stopping a madman's grisly game is to venture deeper into a diabolical web where no one is who they seem to be... and the smallest mistake could be her last...
I love these suspense books where the main character is a typical, suburban mom placed into danger. I am not sure why, but perhaps it's because of the normalacy that is thrown out of whack. Kate has had a rough year and a half, but her and her family hope that the move to Wickfield will help change some of that, but of course it doesn't. I think there is a lot that the reader can relate to as well; a rebellious teenage daughter, marriage trying to stay together after quite a few years together, waking up every day facing the same mundane things. I had the killer figured out pretty early, but I suspect it was because I always suspect the least suspicious character. There were quite a few twisted things that this murderer does to his victims, but nothing that made it too difficult to read. I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Drake's books in the future. As a matter of fact, I am going to check for her website right now and see if there are any other books coming out any time soon!
Up next is a library book. I seem to be in a good groove, alternating between library books and my own. I am not sure which library book I will read, though it will probably be whichever one I grab. I have them in a magazine holder next to my reading chair and I think I will just reach over and let fate decide my next read. Happy Reading everyone!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
A Hunting We Will Go by Hal Friedman
I picked this book up from a library used book sale because of the author's name. I recgonized his name from co-authoring some books with James Patterson, and I always seem to enjoy his books that are written with someone else. It was a longer book, coming in at 440 pages, but it was a good book. I give it a B.
Back cover:
Arthur Combs is LA's hottest story. Dubbed Starman, this terrifying serial killer is a monster who preys on beautiful, famous women- guided by the sadistic urges of a mysterious partner.
Kaitlyn Rome is LA"s hottest TV news anchor. Intelligent and ambitious, she is the leading reporter on this career-making story- and Starman's next target.
As Starman closes in, Kate turns to the one person who can help her survive, veteran cop and department outsider Dan Jarrett. Together they must outwit a diabolical psychopath in a game with only one rule- kill or be killed.
This serial killer was really a true psycho, one that kills quite often. However, there wasn't a bunch of suspense, as the reader knows for the most part who the killer is. There are some twists throughout the story, especially one at the end, but it wasn't the best suspense book out there. I had a difficult time liking the main character, Kaitlyn, though, as she really rubbed me the wrong way. Some of the decisions she made left me thinking "what... why would you do that?!?" It drives me nuts sometimes when authors make characters stupid or behave in a way that a normal person would act like to just try and build or add some suspense. In my opinion, it wrecks the story and pulls me out of it. According to the author's biography in the back of the book this was the author's first book and I think it shows somewhat. I saw that the author had at least one other book out by himself and I might check it out sometime in the future, but it won't be on my immediate need to buy book list.
Up next is a library book. I am not sure which one I am going to choose, as I have several to choose from. This weekend seems to be a busy one, but I hope to be able to sneak some reading time in some where. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Arthur Combs is LA's hottest story. Dubbed Starman, this terrifying serial killer is a monster who preys on beautiful, famous women- guided by the sadistic urges of a mysterious partner.
Kaitlyn Rome is LA"s hottest TV news anchor. Intelligent and ambitious, she is the leading reporter on this career-making story- and Starman's next target.
As Starman closes in, Kate turns to the one person who can help her survive, veteran cop and department outsider Dan Jarrett. Together they must outwit a diabolical psychopath in a game with only one rule- kill or be killed.
This serial killer was really a true psycho, one that kills quite often. However, there wasn't a bunch of suspense, as the reader knows for the most part who the killer is. There are some twists throughout the story, especially one at the end, but it wasn't the best suspense book out there. I had a difficult time liking the main character, Kaitlyn, though, as she really rubbed me the wrong way. Some of the decisions she made left me thinking "what... why would you do that?!?" It drives me nuts sometimes when authors make characters stupid or behave in a way that a normal person would act like to just try and build or add some suspense. In my opinion, it wrecks the story and pulls me out of it. According to the author's biography in the back of the book this was the author's first book and I think it shows somewhat. I saw that the author had at least one other book out by himself and I might check it out sometime in the future, but it won't be on my immediate need to buy book list.
Up next is a library book. I am not sure which one I am going to choose, as I have several to choose from. This weekend seems to be a busy one, but I hope to be able to sneak some reading time in some where. Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
The Murder Artist by John Case
I FINALLY finished a book! Thank heavens... I just couldn't get any reading in this week for some reason. For starters, I've found I 've been spending way too much time online doing absolutely nothing lately, so last night and this morning I made a pact to keep the computer off and read. The Murder Artist also helped to break through this mini-slump, as once I got reading for a bit, I was sucked right in reading over 300 pages last night and this morning. I give The Murder Artist a B+.
Back cover:
Television news correspondent Alex Callahan witnesses danger and death on a daily basis, and knows the meaning of fear. But nothing prepares him for the feeling of profound terror that grabs him when his six-year-old twin boys vanish without a trace at a countryside Renaissance Fair. The ensuing anonymous phone call- and the familiar, plaintive voice of a child- only deepens Alex's certainty that he doesn't have much time. Telltale signs reveal a hidden pattern of bizarre and ghoulish abductions, as a profile of a predator slowly emerges- a twisted soul, hell-bent on fulfilling an unspeakably dark dream. What Alex is closing in on is a monster with a fiendish mission.
The Murder Artist is quite an involved book, one that has lots of twists and turns. If the reader pays close attention to little clues and hints, you can figure out the why and what, though the who is not easily figured out. I loved Alex and thought that he was a great character, and Mr. Case does a great job of painting a grieving parent who has lost their children to a kidnapper. There is a lot of reference to other kidnapped children that also adds to the beliveablitity to the story. The ending leaves you a bit hanging though, where everything isn't all tied up and packaged with a pretty bow, which normally drives me crazy, but this time it didn't bother me because it just seemed like a great ending. There were a ton of twists and turns, along with some gore and tough spots, but overall Mr. Case does a fantastic job of building the suspense. This book is somewhat older, written I believe in 2003, but if you ever come across it at the library or a UBS or something and you enjoy a good suspense book, please do check it out.
Up next is the latest book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I have been waiting forever for it through the library and finally picked up it earlier this week. Even though I've been dying to read it, even that couldn't get me out of my slump but I hope to start on it today. I am going to catch up on some blog reading and then plan to start it. I have bowling league this evening, but I should be home around 9:00ish and will then spend some more quality time in the pages. My hubby is out of town for the weekend working, so I have the house and tv remote to myself. While I miss him maddly, I am enjoying some me time! Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Television news correspondent Alex Callahan witnesses danger and death on a daily basis, and knows the meaning of fear. But nothing prepares him for the feeling of profound terror that grabs him when his six-year-old twin boys vanish without a trace at a countryside Renaissance Fair. The ensuing anonymous phone call- and the familiar, plaintive voice of a child- only deepens Alex's certainty that he doesn't have much time. Telltale signs reveal a hidden pattern of bizarre and ghoulish abductions, as a profile of a predator slowly emerges- a twisted soul, hell-bent on fulfilling an unspeakably dark dream. What Alex is closing in on is a monster with a fiendish mission.
The Murder Artist is quite an involved book, one that has lots of twists and turns. If the reader pays close attention to little clues and hints, you can figure out the why and what, though the who is not easily figured out. I loved Alex and thought that he was a great character, and Mr. Case does a great job of painting a grieving parent who has lost their children to a kidnapper. There is a lot of reference to other kidnapped children that also adds to the beliveablitity to the story. The ending leaves you a bit hanging though, where everything isn't all tied up and packaged with a pretty bow, which normally drives me crazy, but this time it didn't bother me because it just seemed like a great ending. There were a ton of twists and turns, along with some gore and tough spots, but overall Mr. Case does a fantastic job of building the suspense. This book is somewhat older, written I believe in 2003, but if you ever come across it at the library or a UBS or something and you enjoy a good suspense book, please do check it out.
Up next is the latest book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I have been waiting forever for it through the library and finally picked up it earlier this week. Even though I've been dying to read it, even that couldn't get me out of my slump but I hope to start on it today. I am going to catch up on some blog reading and then plan to start it. I have bowling league this evening, but I should be home around 9:00ish and will then spend some more quality time in the pages. My hubby is out of town for the weekend working, so I have the house and tv remote to myself. While I miss him maddly, I am enjoying some me time! Happy Reading everyone!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
To Die For by Linda Howard
To Die For is a book I've heard tons about by those who love romance books and Linda Howard. While I am not the biggest romance fan out there, I have enjoyed Ms. Howard's books in the past and it sounded like something light and fluffy so I decided to give it a go. It was exactly what I needed and I enjoyed it. I give To Die For a B+.
Back cover:
Blair Mallory lives the good life. She's pretty, confident, and the owner of a thriving upscale fitness center. But in the shadow of success, a troubled member of the club develops a strange fixation on her, imitating her style and dress. Matters take a darker turn when the look-alike is shot dead- and Blair witnesses the horror.
As the media speculate on the tawdry details of the homicide and push Blair into the harsh spotlight, she locks horns with police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth- he wants to lead the an investigation without interference, while she is determined to probe the dead woman's life on her own. But when someone begins to menace Blair with mounting threats, Wyatt takes notice: Was the murder indeed a lethal case of mistaken identity- and was Blair indeed a victim?
Blair is the type of a girl you would love to hate... pretty, popular, well off, doing a job she loves and seems to have success on anything and everything she touches. However, the more and more I read, the more I liked Blair and was cheering her on. While most of the book was about the romance between Blair and Wyatt (which I don't think is a spoiler... read the book description... who else could it be?) it didn't follow the one plot that I can't stand in romance books, the big mix-up that can often be solved by some open communication. Blair is funny and the more I read the more I laughed and chuckled to myself. Wyatt wasn't a bad character to read about either. While the mystery was somewhat in the background a bit, it was a pleasing aspect to read. I enjoyed the book and I believe I have a sequel as well to read. While To Die For isn't heavy literature or even a great romantic suspense, it was a fun book to read while waiting for the doctor or at my lunch break.
Up next is a library book. I forgot which one it is and am too lazy to look but I hope I can squeeze it in before the end of the month. This month's reading has been dismal to say the least and I feel like I have some of my reading mojo back. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Blair Mallory lives the good life. She's pretty, confident, and the owner of a thriving upscale fitness center. But in the shadow of success, a troubled member of the club develops a strange fixation on her, imitating her style and dress. Matters take a darker turn when the look-alike is shot dead- and Blair witnesses the horror.
As the media speculate on the tawdry details of the homicide and push Blair into the harsh spotlight, she locks horns with police lieutenant Wyatt Bloodsworth- he wants to lead the an investigation without interference, while she is determined to probe the dead woman's life on her own. But when someone begins to menace Blair with mounting threats, Wyatt takes notice: Was the murder indeed a lethal case of mistaken identity- and was Blair indeed a victim?
Blair is the type of a girl you would love to hate... pretty, popular, well off, doing a job she loves and seems to have success on anything and everything she touches. However, the more and more I read, the more I liked Blair and was cheering her on. While most of the book was about the romance between Blair and Wyatt (which I don't think is a spoiler... read the book description... who else could it be?) it didn't follow the one plot that I can't stand in romance books, the big mix-up that can often be solved by some open communication. Blair is funny and the more I read the more I laughed and chuckled to myself. Wyatt wasn't a bad character to read about either. While the mystery was somewhat in the background a bit, it was a pleasing aspect to read. I enjoyed the book and I believe I have a sequel as well to read. While To Die For isn't heavy literature or even a great romantic suspense, it was a fun book to read while waiting for the doctor or at my lunch break.
Up next is a library book. I forgot which one it is and am too lazy to look but I hope I can squeeze it in before the end of the month. This month's reading has been dismal to say the least and I feel like I have some of my reading mojo back. Happy Reading everyone!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Murder List by Julie Garwood
Murder List is a book I've had on my shelves for far too long. When I was looking for something to read, I finally decided to grab it and start reading it. It started off with a bang and then ended it with a damper. I give it a B-.
Back cover:
Hotel heiress Regan Hamilton Madison is flirting with danger. She agrees to help a journalist friend expose Dr. Lawerence Shields, a shady self-help guru who may have been responsible for the death of one of his vulnerable devotees. Hoping to find some damning evidence, Regan attends a Sheilds seminar, where the doctor has his guests make a list of the people who have hurt or angered them over the year and asks: Would your world be a better place if these people cease to exist? Treating the exercise as a game, Regan plays along.
The experience is all but forgotten- until the first person on Regan's list turns up dead. Shock turns to horror when another name from her list surfaces as a corpse. While brutal murders seem to stalk Regan's every move her attraction to the detective assigned to protect her grows. As the menace intensifies and a serial killer circles, Regan must discover who has turned her private revenge fantasies into grisly reality.
I really liked Regan in the beginning and thought she was a great character but as the story wore on, she became somewhat of a pain and a bit annoying. I thought that the book was a going to be a great suspense novel with the way it started, but after the first 100 pages or so it all turned to romance. The bulk of this book was devoted to Regan and the detective assigned to her and their love that would never happen because of the circumstance surrounding them (yeah right... that's how it always is in books!) I fully admit to skimming full chapters of the book which is something I rarely do and probably would have not finished it but I've been reading so little lately and just wanted to finish something. The ending was somewhat unbelieveable and the motive to the bad guy just didn't seem to make sense to me. I hate being disappointed in the books I'm reading so maybe I feeling a bit whiney right now.
Up next is the last library book I have checked out. I read about it on several other blogs and it will be the first by this author I've read. 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr sounds promising and I hope it grabs my attention quickly, but more imporatantly keeps my attention! Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Hotel heiress Regan Hamilton Madison is flirting with danger. She agrees to help a journalist friend expose Dr. Lawerence Shields, a shady self-help guru who may have been responsible for the death of one of his vulnerable devotees. Hoping to find some damning evidence, Regan attends a Sheilds seminar, where the doctor has his guests make a list of the people who have hurt or angered them over the year and asks: Would your world be a better place if these people cease to exist? Treating the exercise as a game, Regan plays along.
The experience is all but forgotten- until the first person on Regan's list turns up dead. Shock turns to horror when another name from her list surfaces as a corpse. While brutal murders seem to stalk Regan's every move her attraction to the detective assigned to protect her grows. As the menace intensifies and a serial killer circles, Regan must discover who has turned her private revenge fantasies into grisly reality.
I really liked Regan in the beginning and thought she was a great character but as the story wore on, she became somewhat of a pain and a bit annoying. I thought that the book was a going to be a great suspense novel with the way it started, but after the first 100 pages or so it all turned to romance. The bulk of this book was devoted to Regan and the detective assigned to her and their love that would never happen because of the circumstance surrounding them (yeah right... that's how it always is in books!) I fully admit to skimming full chapters of the book which is something I rarely do and probably would have not finished it but I've been reading so little lately and just wanted to finish something. The ending was somewhat unbelieveable and the motive to the bad guy just didn't seem to make sense to me. I hate being disappointed in the books I'm reading so maybe I feeling a bit whiney right now.
Up next is the last library book I have checked out. I read about it on several other blogs and it will be the first by this author I've read. 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr sounds promising and I hope it grabs my attention quickly, but more imporatantly keeps my attention! Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Church of Dead Girls by Stephen Dobyns
The Church of Dead Girls is a book I've had on my shelves for far too long. I got this from either a library sale or thrift store, and I am a bit disappointed I waited this long to read it. It was a good book, more literary fiction than straight up suspense, and I give it a B+.
Back cover:
For decades, the faded, rural upstate New York village has lain dormant- until it is startlingly stirred to life when, one by one, three young girls vanish...
Nightmares are turned into horrifying reality when their corpses are found, brutally murdered, each missing their left hand...
Now as the search for a madman gets underway, suspicion shrouds the quiet streets of Aurelius when its residents soon realize that a monster lives among them...
But not even prayers can save their loved one from the rage of a twisted mind who has only just begun his slaughter...
In The Church of Dead Girls, the town of Aurelius is in itself the main character of the story. The narrator, a man who I am not even sure is ever named and if he was I don't remember, serves as the readers eyes and ears for the events that turn this small town upside down as three young girls are kidnapped and seem to vanish. There are many characters to keep track of, but while reading these pages, you are transported to small, snowy Aurelius and all of it's residents. Suspicion is thrown on everyone, the gay residents, the single men, the married men, and even one or two women. I believe the story is an accurate picture of what would happen to a small town suddenly thrust into the national spotlight because of a terrible person. While I normally enjoy the heavier and grittier suspense books, The Church of Dead Girls was a great literary suspense book that encouraged me to escape from my ususal comfort reads.
It took me a week to read this book! Part of it was because the book was long and desires to be read slowly so you savor the story and the other reason was because I've been busy. A couple of weeks ago, I accepted a subbing job for a week for the same teacher. On Tuesday she became quite sick and had to have an emergency surgery and I was called to take over her class again. Since this wasn't a planned abscence, I had to do planning and now it seems she will be out for another two weeks and progress reports are due! Today my day was totally shot by a wedding (I am currently in between the church portion and we are leaving shortly for the reception), so tomorrow will be checking papers and prepping for the next week. As much as I am missing my free time, I am thankful to have this long term subbing position since I get to actually teach and I like the class! I also need to start managing my time a bit better as I seem to be spending much time surfing the internet, looking at nothing. Time to fix my makeup and leave. Happy Reading everyone and have a fantastic weekend!
Back cover:
For decades, the faded, rural upstate New York village has lain dormant- until it is startlingly stirred to life when, one by one, three young girls vanish...
Nightmares are turned into horrifying reality when their corpses are found, brutally murdered, each missing their left hand...
Now as the search for a madman gets underway, suspicion shrouds the quiet streets of Aurelius when its residents soon realize that a monster lives among them...
But not even prayers can save their loved one from the rage of a twisted mind who has only just begun his slaughter...
In The Church of Dead Girls, the town of Aurelius is in itself the main character of the story. The narrator, a man who I am not even sure is ever named and if he was I don't remember, serves as the readers eyes and ears for the events that turn this small town upside down as three young girls are kidnapped and seem to vanish. There are many characters to keep track of, but while reading these pages, you are transported to small, snowy Aurelius and all of it's residents. Suspicion is thrown on everyone, the gay residents, the single men, the married men, and even one or two women. I believe the story is an accurate picture of what would happen to a small town suddenly thrust into the national spotlight because of a terrible person. While I normally enjoy the heavier and grittier suspense books, The Church of Dead Girls was a great literary suspense book that encouraged me to escape from my ususal comfort reads.
It took me a week to read this book! Part of it was because the book was long and desires to be read slowly so you savor the story and the other reason was because I've been busy. A couple of weeks ago, I accepted a subbing job for a week for the same teacher. On Tuesday she became quite sick and had to have an emergency surgery and I was called to take over her class again. Since this wasn't a planned abscence, I had to do planning and now it seems she will be out for another two weeks and progress reports are due! Today my day was totally shot by a wedding (I am currently in between the church portion and we are leaving shortly for the reception), so tomorrow will be checking papers and prepping for the next week. As much as I am missing my free time, I am thankful to have this long term subbing position since I get to actually teach and I like the class! I also need to start managing my time a bit better as I seem to be spending much time surfing the internet, looking at nothing. Time to fix my makeup and leave. Happy Reading everyone and have a fantastic weekend!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Immoral by Brian Freeman
I have a couple of Brian Freeman's books on my shelves, and for some reason, his name just jumped out at me awhile ago. Remembering that on Sunday, while looking on my shelves for something new to read, I decided to pick one of his books up. I ended up choosing Immoral because it appears to be the first book in the series. It was a great book, and while it took me awhile to read it, I really enjoyed it. I give it a B+.
Back cover:
Lieutenant Jonathan Stride knows it's not a moral world. One teenage girl has already disappeared on his watch, leaving behind no body, no killer and no justice. Now, when another girl goes missing on a cold night in Minnesota, Stride must relive his worst nightmare...
This was a good suspense and police procedural. As the story continues, some of the characters, including the missing girl, Rachel, become really unlikeable, but it doesn't take away from the story any. If anything, I believe it made the story somewhat more believeable. Let's face it, in every crime case going on in the world, all of the victims are not the most loveable people, but does that mean that they don't deserve justice? Stride is another one of those characters who I really really shouldn't have liked, but I just couldn't help myself. The suspense was really well done and the curves kept coming. I had about 30 pages left today to finish the book, so I had the class I was subbing for do DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time a bit longer so I could finish the book! If you haven't had a chance to check out any books by Brian Freeman, I would highly recommend Immoral!
Up next is a library book I've had for awhile. I bumped it back when Evil at Heart came in and then wanted to keep with my rotation schedule I have going. It's called The Promised World by Lisa Tucker. I am not sure what blog I read about it on, (my handy-dandy little notebook hasn't been working too well for me lately) but as I read the inside cover, I have to admit it sounds pretty good. I hope you are all reading something great right now and having a great week. I am subbing all week in the same 4th grade class (at the same school where I did my student teaching at in 4th grade) and this class is just really needy. I think I forgot how young the 4th graders are as the school year starts and they are wearing me out so off to bed for me! Happy Reading!
Back cover:
Lieutenant Jonathan Stride knows it's not a moral world. One teenage girl has already disappeared on his watch, leaving behind no body, no killer and no justice. Now, when another girl goes missing on a cold night in Minnesota, Stride must relive his worst nightmare...
This was a good suspense and police procedural. As the story continues, some of the characters, including the missing girl, Rachel, become really unlikeable, but it doesn't take away from the story any. If anything, I believe it made the story somewhat more believeable. Let's face it, in every crime case going on in the world, all of the victims are not the most loveable people, but does that mean that they don't deserve justice? Stride is another one of those characters who I really really shouldn't have liked, but I just couldn't help myself. The suspense was really well done and the curves kept coming. I had about 30 pages left today to finish the book, so I had the class I was subbing for do DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time a bit longer so I could finish the book! If you haven't had a chance to check out any books by Brian Freeman, I would highly recommend Immoral!
Up next is a library book I've had for awhile. I bumped it back when Evil at Heart came in and then wanted to keep with my rotation schedule I have going. It's called The Promised World by Lisa Tucker. I am not sure what blog I read about it on, (my handy-dandy little notebook hasn't been working too well for me lately) but as I read the inside cover, I have to admit it sounds pretty good. I hope you are all reading something great right now and having a great week. I am subbing all week in the same 4th grade class (at the same school where I did my student teaching at in 4th grade) and this class is just really needy. I think I forgot how young the 4th graders are as the school year starts and they are wearing me out so off to bed for me! Happy Reading!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Puppet by Joy Fielding
Since I've been in somewhat of a reading slump lately, I decided to pull one of Ms. Fielding's books off of my shelves to help me get out of it. It didn't seem to help much, as it took me quite awhile to read it, even though I haven't been very busy. It was a good read, and I give it B.
Inside cover:
Puppet features the beautiful Amanda Travis, a successful twenty-eight-year-old criminal attorney who win just about every case for her less than admirable clientele. A Florida transplant, Amanda races through her glamourous life, her only concerns being herself, a good bottle of red, and her pristine Palm Beach condominium. Her estranged mother, dead father, two ex-husband, a love that once consumed her, and countless one-night stnad have since lagged far, far behind.
But when ex #1 won't stop calling, Amanda finally gives in. He tells her that her mother shot a man at point-blank range in the lobby of Toronto' s Four Seasons hotel. Despite her best arguments, Amanda knows she must return to her hometown to face her demons and uncover the hidden facts behind her mother's violent outburst. All too soon, she is drawn into the dark, strange power her mother seems to hold over everyone. Her childhood nickname, Puppet, echoing in her ears, Amanda must finally confront the past in order to be free of the ties that bind and learn to stand on her own.
Ms. Fielding always write an engrossing and suspensful tale. She is able to create characters that come to life through the pages and while you may not love or sympathize with all of them, they are very realisitic. While we knew who the killer was in this book, the suspense comes from trying to figure out why Amanda's mother shoots an apparent stranger at point-blank range after waiting in a hotel for him. Amanda was someone who was hard to like as she seems to be very self-absorbed and selfish, but through the book she grows on you and the reader gets a good understanding of why she is the way she is and how she became the person she is today. I enjoyed the book, and while it wasn't my favorite Joy Fielding book, it was still a good read.
Up next is the latest Chelsea Cain book, Evil at Heart! YAY! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about finally having this book in my hot little hands. I am going to sign off right now and dive right into this book. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Puppet features the beautiful Amanda Travis, a successful twenty-eight-year-old criminal attorney who win just about every case for her less than admirable clientele. A Florida transplant, Amanda races through her glamourous life, her only concerns being herself, a good bottle of red, and her pristine Palm Beach condominium. Her estranged mother, dead father, two ex-husband, a love that once consumed her, and countless one-night stnad have since lagged far, far behind.
But when ex #1 won't stop calling, Amanda finally gives in. He tells her that her mother shot a man at point-blank range in the lobby of Toronto' s Four Seasons hotel. Despite her best arguments, Amanda knows she must return to her hometown to face her demons and uncover the hidden facts behind her mother's violent outburst. All too soon, she is drawn into the dark, strange power her mother seems to hold over everyone. Her childhood nickname, Puppet, echoing in her ears, Amanda must finally confront the past in order to be free of the ties that bind and learn to stand on her own.
Ms. Fielding always write an engrossing and suspensful tale. She is able to create characters that come to life through the pages and while you may not love or sympathize with all of them, they are very realisitic. While we knew who the killer was in this book, the suspense comes from trying to figure out why Amanda's mother shoots an apparent stranger at point-blank range after waiting in a hotel for him. Amanda was someone who was hard to like as she seems to be very self-absorbed and selfish, but through the book she grows on you and the reader gets a good understanding of why she is the way she is and how she became the person she is today. I enjoyed the book, and while it wasn't my favorite Joy Fielding book, it was still a good read.
Up next is the latest Chelsea Cain book, Evil at Heart! YAY! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about finally having this book in my hot little hands. I am going to sign off right now and dive right into this book. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Bad Chemistry by Gary Krist
Bad Chemistry is a book I've had on my shelves for quite awhile, probably bought from a library book sale or thrift store. I decided to pick it up and while it took me awhile to read, it was a good read. I give it a B+.
Back cover:
How well do you know your spouse?
What if the person you married was keeping secrets from you?
What if the one you love is involved in something so dangerous it could destroy you both?
Kate Theodorus is about to find out...
I think one of the things that made this book so scary was the fact that though you are married to someone, someone you sleep with every night, use the same sink to brush your teeth, and share a hair brush with could hide so many things from you and be a totally different person than the one you thought you knew. While there were some sci-fi aspects to the book, which is something I normally totally avoid, it didn't bother me at all. There was a lot of suspense and the pages were turning and Kate was a great character.
I finally quit my job I hated. I was just absolutely miserable there and felt myself slipping back into the anxiety and depression state I battled for over three years. My mental health just wasn't worth the extra money I was making and I am going to go to back to subbing. I also have an interview on Tuesday, and when I got the call to set it up yesterday, I felt like it was a sign telling me to go with my heart and so I resigned at the end of the day. While I have feelings of guilt, I know it will be better in the long run. I am off to get some cleaning and laundry done, along with starting the next Katherine Dance book by Jeffrey Deaver, Roadside Crosses. I have high hopes for this! Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
How well do you know your spouse?
What if the person you married was keeping secrets from you?
What if the one you love is involved in something so dangerous it could destroy you both?
Kate Theodorus is about to find out...
I think one of the things that made this book so scary was the fact that though you are married to someone, someone you sleep with every night, use the same sink to brush your teeth, and share a hair brush with could hide so many things from you and be a totally different person than the one you thought you knew. While there were some sci-fi aspects to the book, which is something I normally totally avoid, it didn't bother me at all. There was a lot of suspense and the pages were turning and Kate was a great character.
I finally quit my job I hated. I was just absolutely miserable there and felt myself slipping back into the anxiety and depression state I battled for over three years. My mental health just wasn't worth the extra money I was making and I am going to go to back to subbing. I also have an interview on Tuesday, and when I got the call to set it up yesterday, I felt like it was a sign telling me to go with my heart and so I resigned at the end of the day. While I have feelings of guilt, I know it will be better in the long run. I am off to get some cleaning and laundry done, along with starting the next Katherine Dance book by Jeffrey Deaver, Roadside Crosses. I have high hopes for this! Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Too Close for Comfort by Ellen Feldman
Too Close for Comfort is a book that has been sitting on my TBR shelves for far too long. I probably got it from a UBS or library sale, as it's an older book set in the 1990s. I thought it sounded right up my alley, but I was a bit disappointed. I give it a B-.
Back cover:
Half of the New Yorkers Isobel knew would kill for Pete's baronial Fifth Avenue apartment. Dr. Peter Arlen, psychiatrist, inherited it. Isobel Behringer, architectural preservationist and director of Urban Heritage, married into it. Flush and faintly guilty to be happily married at last, Isobel set about learning the rules of the house. But she couldn't help breaking a few as she cautiously took the shortcut through Pete's waiting room, naked under his shirt, to get more coffee, or look for a pair of gloves, or tempt fate. She thought no one could see her. Until the heavy-breathing calls began, disturbingly intimate, menacing, threatening her marriage and her peace of mind. Someone wanted to fill her shoes, her life, her husband's arms. Someone desperate, deranged. Sone only a razor-edge away...
Since this book is so old, I won't go into too many details or review it in depth. I thought so much more could have been done with the book, especially since it was almost 400 pages long, but a lot of it just focused on Isobel's daily life and the mundane things she does. The suspense really doesn't have a chance to build and Isobel isn't the most likeable character. Things did pick up in the second half of the book and I finished it in a couple of hours this evening between watching mindless tv. The reader discovers who is stalking Isobel with about 100 pages left in the book, and that takes away from the suspense a bit as well. I was able to figure things out towards the end but I find that happening more and more often. Oh well, I am happy to finally finish a book!
My new job is just draining me. I am absolutely miserable there and when I get home from work I am just so burned out I sit and count down the hours until I have to go back. I hope things get better, and holding out hope that they will get better, but if they don't I will be quitting. I've never quit a job before because I didn't like it and I hate the thought of quitting in this economy, but my mental health just isn't worth it. I had today off and am off until Tuesday, so I will be sending out resumes and can always return to subbing. Enought of all of that... I don't want to spend my next four days off thinking about that place. I hope to get lots of reading in this weekend, so I think I will head off to bed now so I can get up early tomorrow to fulfill that goal. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Half of the New Yorkers Isobel knew would kill for Pete's baronial Fifth Avenue apartment. Dr. Peter Arlen, psychiatrist, inherited it. Isobel Behringer, architectural preservationist and director of Urban Heritage, married into it. Flush and faintly guilty to be happily married at last, Isobel set about learning the rules of the house. But she couldn't help breaking a few as she cautiously took the shortcut through Pete's waiting room, naked under his shirt, to get more coffee, or look for a pair of gloves, or tempt fate. She thought no one could see her. Until the heavy-breathing calls began, disturbingly intimate, menacing, threatening her marriage and her peace of mind. Someone wanted to fill her shoes, her life, her husband's arms. Someone desperate, deranged. Sone only a razor-edge away...
Since this book is so old, I won't go into too many details or review it in depth. I thought so much more could have been done with the book, especially since it was almost 400 pages long, but a lot of it just focused on Isobel's daily life and the mundane things she does. The suspense really doesn't have a chance to build and Isobel isn't the most likeable character. Things did pick up in the second half of the book and I finished it in a couple of hours this evening between watching mindless tv. The reader discovers who is stalking Isobel with about 100 pages left in the book, and that takes away from the suspense a bit as well. I was able to figure things out towards the end but I find that happening more and more often. Oh well, I am happy to finally finish a book!
My new job is just draining me. I am absolutely miserable there and when I get home from work I am just so burned out I sit and count down the hours until I have to go back. I hope things get better, and holding out hope that they will get better, but if they don't I will be quitting. I've never quit a job before because I didn't like it and I hate the thought of quitting in this economy, but my mental health just isn't worth it. I had today off and am off until Tuesday, so I will be sending out resumes and can always return to subbing. Enought of all of that... I don't want to spend my next four days off thinking about that place. I hope to get lots of reading in this weekend, so I think I will head off to bed now so I can get up early tomorrow to fulfill that goal. Happy Reading everyone!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Paint it Red by Carla Cassidy
Carla Cassidy is a women's suspense author whose books I normally really enjoy. Paint It Red has been on my shelves for awhile, so I decided to pick it up and get it read. Unfortunetly, I didn't enjoy it all that much and give it a C.
Back cover:
Jim Abbott, an up-and-coming artist, drowned himself in the raging waters of Missouri River. His body was never recovered. Two years later, his widow, Vanessa, has arranged for one last showing of his brilliant, disturbing art. The event is a success: Critics are raving, pieces are selling, and Vanessa even meets an interesting man. Christian Connor is gentle, honest, and incredibly sexy. Soon their innocent flirtation heats up...
Then the gallery owner is found dead with a splash of red accross his body, and his corpse is only the first to bear that mark. Vanessa recgonizes the stroke: When Jim was unhappy with a painting, he'd slash it with furious crimson. And in her home, Jim's picture somehow finds its way onto the dresser and his jacket appears on the back of the sofa. Is she going crazy? Or has her husband returned to claim her as his own?
This book was just so-so. The main part of the story was romance, and as you know, I am not a huge fan of romance novels. Vanessa was a bit annoying, as well, and I didn't find her to be too convincing of a character. The mystery was also done so-so, and though there weren't many clues to who the killer was, it wasn't difficult to figure it out. If you enjoy romantic suspense, then you may enjoy this book, but it just wasn't one for me. Hopefully the next book I read with resonate more with me.
It's late and I need to get to bed, so I will leave you with a Good Night and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
Jim Abbott, an up-and-coming artist, drowned himself in the raging waters of Missouri River. His body was never recovered. Two years later, his widow, Vanessa, has arranged for one last showing of his brilliant, disturbing art. The event is a success: Critics are raving, pieces are selling, and Vanessa even meets an interesting man. Christian Connor is gentle, honest, and incredibly sexy. Soon their innocent flirtation heats up...
Then the gallery owner is found dead with a splash of red accross his body, and his corpse is only the first to bear that mark. Vanessa recgonizes the stroke: When Jim was unhappy with a painting, he'd slash it with furious crimson. And in her home, Jim's picture somehow finds its way onto the dresser and his jacket appears on the back of the sofa. Is she going crazy? Or has her husband returned to claim her as his own?
This book was just so-so. The main part of the story was romance, and as you know, I am not a huge fan of romance novels. Vanessa was a bit annoying, as well, and I didn't find her to be too convincing of a character. The mystery was also done so-so, and though there weren't many clues to who the killer was, it wasn't difficult to figure it out. If you enjoy romantic suspense, then you may enjoy this book, but it just wasn't one for me. Hopefully the next book I read with resonate more with me.
It's late and I need to get to bed, so I will leave you with a Good Night and Happy Reading!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tell No One by Harlan Coben
Tell No One is a book I have had on my shelves for awhile and decided to finally pull it off after reading something about Mr. Coben. It was a good read, and perfect for me to read in the short, little breaks I had that I could sneak it in. I give it a B.
Back cover:
For Dr. David Beck, the loss was shattering. And every day for the past eight years, he has relived the horror of what happened. The gleaming lake. The pale moonlight. The piercing screams. The night his wife was taken. The last night he saw her alive.
Everyone tells him it's time to move on, to forget the past once and for all. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible- that somewhere, somehow, his wife is alive... and he's been warned to tell no one.
Tell No One is a suspense-filled book, one that the pages are turning and the suspense is building. While there aren't a lot of clues for the reader to follow along with and try and solve the crime, it is action packed. I loved the character Beck and the inside look at the low income practice he has in New York City. I would have rated the book higher, but some parts of the book were just so unbelievable that I knocked the grade down a little bit. I tend to like my suspense books to be a bit more believeable as they tend to spook me more. There were also a lot of characters running through the story, including some from the past, that gave me somewhat of a problem keeping track of. I enjoy Mr. Coben's books, but I probably won't be buying them new.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I leave for up north on Monday for a retreat for my new job, so this weekend I have to get this house scrubbed (I always have to clean before I leave out of town), do laundry, run to the library, run to the bank, and other odds and ends. When I get back from the retreat (which I am dreading...) it's back to school full time pretty much, so I want to squeeze in as much of the little projects I have been putting off all summer. I am going to sign off now, catch up on some blog reading, and get started on some of that laundry. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
For Dr. David Beck, the loss was shattering. And every day for the past eight years, he has relived the horror of what happened. The gleaming lake. The pale moonlight. The piercing screams. The night his wife was taken. The last night he saw her alive.
Everyone tells him it's time to move on, to forget the past once and for all. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible- that somewhere, somehow, his wife is alive... and he's been warned to tell no one.
Tell No One is a suspense-filled book, one that the pages are turning and the suspense is building. While there aren't a lot of clues for the reader to follow along with and try and solve the crime, it is action packed. I loved the character Beck and the inside look at the low income practice he has in New York City. I would have rated the book higher, but some parts of the book were just so unbelievable that I knocked the grade down a little bit. I tend to like my suspense books to be a bit more believeable as they tend to spook me more. There were also a lot of characters running through the story, including some from the past, that gave me somewhat of a problem keeping track of. I enjoy Mr. Coben's books, but I probably won't be buying them new.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I leave for up north on Monday for a retreat for my new job, so this weekend I have to get this house scrubbed (I always have to clean before I leave out of town), do laundry, run to the library, run to the bank, and other odds and ends. When I get back from the retreat (which I am dreading...) it's back to school full time pretty much, so I want to squeeze in as much of the little projects I have been putting off all summer. I am going to sign off now, catch up on some blog reading, and get started on some of that laundry. Happy Reading everyone!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Chat by Archer Mayor
I got Chat a few months ago, probably the last time I made a run to Borders. I've been wanting to read it, but have been trying to get to books that have been sitting on the shelves for far longer than Chat. I ended up grabbing it after a few other books weren't able to grab my attention, but in the end I didn't fall in love with Chat. I give it a C.
Back cover:
News travels fast in the small state of Vermont, so a mysterios homicide in the rustic town of Brattleboro quickly draws the attention of both the local police and the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. But before Special Agent Joe Gunther can look into the matter, he receives shocking news: his mother and his brother have been seriously injured in a suspicious car accident. Concerned that somebody may be trying to kill his family, Gunther has trouble focusing on the murder case- until a second unidentified body surfaces. His investigation of the deaths soon leads him into the modern, urbane world of online chat rooms where older men prey upon young girls. Now finding himself on dangerously unfamiliar ground, Gunther must use all his cunning to stop a serial killer... and save the people closest to his heart...
Eh... this book just didn't resonate with me. First of all, this book is part of a series and one that I have never read any of the previous books in. I don't think it made a huge impact on the story line, but I feel like I missed out on a lot of the character development, so that put me at somewhat of a disadvantage. Secondly, I thought Joe did little to no investigating. He had his squad investigating the murders and some other investigators looking into the accident of his family. I am not sure what Joe does in this book, other than describing Vermont and all of its small cities and towns. Vermont is just as a big of a character in this story as Joe is, though Mr. Mayor does a wonderful job of allowing the reader to picture the landscapes and surrounding areas. I also thought that there were very few clues that allowed the reader to discover who the bad guy was and there were so many people investigating the case that it was hard to keep track of. I think Mr. Mayor had a fantastic idea and the book probably could have been better if he had focused on case over the other.
Up next is a library book by a Norwegian author whom I've heard a lot about. I am half Norwegian and have visited Norway when I was younger, so I am looking forward to reading a book set there. I have been meaning to broaden my reading locations, so I figured this would be a perfect fit. I hope everyone had a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
News travels fast in the small state of Vermont, so a mysterios homicide in the rustic town of Brattleboro quickly draws the attention of both the local police and the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. But before Special Agent Joe Gunther can look into the matter, he receives shocking news: his mother and his brother have been seriously injured in a suspicious car accident. Concerned that somebody may be trying to kill his family, Gunther has trouble focusing on the murder case- until a second unidentified body surfaces. His investigation of the deaths soon leads him into the modern, urbane world of online chat rooms where older men prey upon young girls. Now finding himself on dangerously unfamiliar ground, Gunther must use all his cunning to stop a serial killer... and save the people closest to his heart...
Eh... this book just didn't resonate with me. First of all, this book is part of a series and one that I have never read any of the previous books in. I don't think it made a huge impact on the story line, but I feel like I missed out on a lot of the character development, so that put me at somewhat of a disadvantage. Secondly, I thought Joe did little to no investigating. He had his squad investigating the murders and some other investigators looking into the accident of his family. I am not sure what Joe does in this book, other than describing Vermont and all of its small cities and towns. Vermont is just as a big of a character in this story as Joe is, though Mr. Mayor does a wonderful job of allowing the reader to picture the landscapes and surrounding areas. I also thought that there were very few clues that allowed the reader to discover who the bad guy was and there were so many people investigating the case that it was hard to keep track of. I think Mr. Mayor had a fantastic idea and the book probably could have been better if he had focused on case over the other.
Up next is a library book by a Norwegian author whom I've heard a lot about. I am half Norwegian and have visited Norway when I was younger, so I am looking forward to reading a book set there. I have been meaning to broaden my reading locations, so I figured this would be a perfect fit. I hope everyone had a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Friday, July 31, 2009
She'll Never Know by Hunter Morgan
I had a total shock yesterday regarding some family members yesterday and it has led to me being quite upset. Because of that, and the fact that I didn't want to sit there and dwell on things, I needed something that I could quickly get into to take my mind off of everything. She'll Never Know did the trick and I give it B+.
Back cover:
A victim of amnesia, Jillian Deere only knows that se was left by an unidentified man at a North Carolina hospital with a gunshot wound to her neck. But she has the strangest feeling she belongs elsewhere. Something is drawing her to the small Delaware town of Albany Beach- a town caught in the grip of a seemingly unstoppable serial killer...
The victims have all been blonde and blue-eyed, just like Jillian. One by one, they've disappeared from the beach town's quiet cottages and wind-swept streets, only to be found horribly murdered. Jillian can't imagine why she remembers Albany Beach or what it means. The only person she can turn to for help is lifeguard Ty Addison. Despite the almost ten-year difference in their ages, Jillian finds herself falling for his beach-bum good looks. And then the first memory flashes to horrifying life...
Haunted by her tragic past, unsure of whom to trust, Jillian is desperate to uncover the truth about her identity before it's too late. For someone is watching Jillian from out there in the dark. Someone who knows exactly who she is... his next victim...
While I normally don't enjoy romance in my thrillers, this one was done so nicely and I loved it! Jillian and Ty make such a cute couple and there wasn't the usual romance cliche of some misunderstanding that I really don't like. I loved Jillian as a charcter and felt so much compassion for her, though right about now, I wouldn't mind have some amnesia so I could forget some certain things. The mystery of who Jillian is was enjoyable, though I really liked the serial killer aspect more so. At the end, I was thrown through a total loop and realized that this book was the second in a trilogy so the serial killer mystery wasn't resolved. Ugh... I was so upset! I am also disappointed that I won't be able to read the first book in the series as some of the first book was rehashed in this one, and I will know have to pick up the next book in this series to find out how everything is resolved. If I had known it was a trilogy, I would have probably given this book a higher rating, but am definitely going to check my library's database for the next one in the series.
July was an awesome reading month for me with 19 books being finished. That is by far one of my highest reading months ever. I am so happy, especially since I've read so many great books. I hope this will be able to continue, though I doubt it will as I have my new job I will be starting later in August and I have a ton of baby and wedding showers coming up as well. I am not sure what I am going to read next, but I will be picking something up. I need to keep my mind occupied so I don't dwell on things and get upset. I hope everyone else has a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
A victim of amnesia, Jillian Deere only knows that se was left by an unidentified man at a North Carolina hospital with a gunshot wound to her neck. But she has the strangest feeling she belongs elsewhere. Something is drawing her to the small Delaware town of Albany Beach- a town caught in the grip of a seemingly unstoppable serial killer...
The victims have all been blonde and blue-eyed, just like Jillian. One by one, they've disappeared from the beach town's quiet cottages and wind-swept streets, only to be found horribly murdered. Jillian can't imagine why she remembers Albany Beach or what it means. The only person she can turn to for help is lifeguard Ty Addison. Despite the almost ten-year difference in their ages, Jillian finds herself falling for his beach-bum good looks. And then the first memory flashes to horrifying life...
Haunted by her tragic past, unsure of whom to trust, Jillian is desperate to uncover the truth about her identity before it's too late. For someone is watching Jillian from out there in the dark. Someone who knows exactly who she is... his next victim...
While I normally don't enjoy romance in my thrillers, this one was done so nicely and I loved it! Jillian and Ty make such a cute couple and there wasn't the usual romance cliche of some misunderstanding that I really don't like. I loved Jillian as a charcter and felt so much compassion for her, though right about now, I wouldn't mind have some amnesia so I could forget some certain things. The mystery of who Jillian is was enjoyable, though I really liked the serial killer aspect more so. At the end, I was thrown through a total loop and realized that this book was the second in a trilogy so the serial killer mystery wasn't resolved. Ugh... I was so upset! I am also disappointed that I won't be able to read the first book in the series as some of the first book was rehashed in this one, and I will know have to pick up the next book in this series to find out how everything is resolved. If I had known it was a trilogy, I would have probably given this book a higher rating, but am definitely going to check my library's database for the next one in the series.
July was an awesome reading month for me with 19 books being finished. That is by far one of my highest reading months ever. I am so happy, especially since I've read so many great books. I hope this will be able to continue, though I doubt it will as I have my new job I will be starting later in August and I have a ton of baby and wedding showers coming up as well. I am not sure what I am going to read next, but I will be picking something up. I need to keep my mind occupied so I don't dwell on things and get upset. I hope everyone else has a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Right Address by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman
The Right Address is a book I have had on my TBR shelves forever. I think I bought it years ago when I was going through a chick-lit phase and it just sat there forever, waiting to be read. Deciding I wanted something light and fluffy and somewhat of a "summer read" I picked it up to read and loved it. I give it a B+.
Back cover:
The Right Address sears through the upper crust of New York's glittering Park Avenue scene to dish the dirt on the ladies who lunch, the gents who club, and the desperate climbers who will still stop at nothing to join the backstabbing, champagne-sipping, socialite-eat-socialite stratosphere.
When Melanie Saronsky, wily Floridian flight attendant, snares a billonaire divorce Arthur "The Coffin King" Korn, she is catapulted into the creme de la creme of Park Avenue society. But Melanie quickly discovers that in the world of the rich and idle, malicious gossip is as de rigueur as owning twenty pairs of Manolo Blahniks. And despite her frenzied plunge into the charity circuit and the right dinner reservations, her neighbors are Givenchy-clad vultures who see her as nothing more than a reinvented trailer trollop. To make matters worse, when a snide society-rag journalist takes her over the coals, Melanie's reputation is toast.
Meanwhile, Melanie is not the only billionaire in the neighborhood coming unhinged. Kleptomania, adultrey, plagarism, and a grisly Harlem sex murder are just a few of the secrets swirling under the pedigreed patina of furs and emeralds on Park Avenue.
The behaviors of some of these women in the story where absolutely horrid, but unfortunetly, not unbelieveable. There are two women in the story, named Wendy and Joan, who constantly arrive early to the lunches, parties, and charity dances to secure the best seats to stare and gossip about all of their "friends" as they arrive and socialize. The authors compare Wendy and Joan to the two theatre critics from the Muppets who sit in the balcony. I laughed quite a bit over this, as it was the perfect comparision. They are so catty and snide and they and the whole story transported me back to high school and all of the cliques. Melanie, the main character, is at first very annoying, but she slowly changes and grows into a very likeable person. While not the most believable story, it was still a fun and brief vacation to one of my favorite cities and getting to join the ladies who lunch scene. This is the perfect beach/summer read!
Up next is the book called Money Shot which is part of the Hard Case Crime series. I've read one book in this series before and loved it and after reading a review for this one, decided it sounded like a lot of fun. I also got a mini notebook to keep by laptop so whenever I come across a book on a blog that sounds interesting to me, I can record whose blog I read about it on. This way I can give credit to those who keep my library books flowing through my house. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
The Right Address sears through the upper crust of New York's glittering Park Avenue scene to dish the dirt on the ladies who lunch, the gents who club, and the desperate climbers who will still stop at nothing to join the backstabbing, champagne-sipping, socialite-eat-socialite stratosphere.
When Melanie Saronsky, wily Floridian flight attendant, snares a billonaire divorce Arthur "The Coffin King" Korn, she is catapulted into the creme de la creme of Park Avenue society. But Melanie quickly discovers that in the world of the rich and idle, malicious gossip is as de rigueur as owning twenty pairs of Manolo Blahniks. And despite her frenzied plunge into the charity circuit and the right dinner reservations, her neighbors are Givenchy-clad vultures who see her as nothing more than a reinvented trailer trollop. To make matters worse, when a snide society-rag journalist takes her over the coals, Melanie's reputation is toast.
Meanwhile, Melanie is not the only billionaire in the neighborhood coming unhinged. Kleptomania, adultrey, plagarism, and a grisly Harlem sex murder are just a few of the secrets swirling under the pedigreed patina of furs and emeralds on Park Avenue.
The behaviors of some of these women in the story where absolutely horrid, but unfortunetly, not unbelieveable. There are two women in the story, named Wendy and Joan, who constantly arrive early to the lunches, parties, and charity dances to secure the best seats to stare and gossip about all of their "friends" as they arrive and socialize. The authors compare Wendy and Joan to the two theatre critics from the Muppets who sit in the balcony. I laughed quite a bit over this, as it was the perfect comparision. They are so catty and snide and they and the whole story transported me back to high school and all of the cliques. Melanie, the main character, is at first very annoying, but she slowly changes and grows into a very likeable person. While not the most believable story, it was still a fun and brief vacation to one of my favorite cities and getting to join the ladies who lunch scene. This is the perfect beach/summer read!
Up next is the book called Money Shot which is part of the Hard Case Crime series. I've read one book in this series before and loved it and after reading a review for this one, decided it sounded like a lot of fun. I also got a mini notebook to keep by laptop so whenever I come across a book on a blog that sounds interesting to me, I can record whose blog I read about it on. This way I can give credit to those who keep my library books flowing through my house. Happy Reading everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
