After reading Red Leaves by Thomas H. Cook, I decided to go on a glom of his books, picking up three of his books from the library. Peril sounded interesting and different from most everything else I read, so I decided to pick it up and try it out. However, it was a bit disppointing, and I only rate it a C.
Inside cover:
Sara Labriola is a married woman haunted by the shattering secrets of her past- and terrified of the future. Tired of living in fear, Sara decides to do the only thing she can: she makes herself disappear.
On the sultry, seductive streets of New York City, Sara will reinvent herself. She will change her identity, and maybe even get the happy ending she's always dreamed of.
But six desperate ad dangerous men- each with the power to destroy her- are on Sara's trail. And none of them suspect that the woman they are seekinig has a dangerous secret of her own. For Sara is leading all of them down a path of private demons, past sins... and the deadliest peril.
I did enjoy the way the story was told, with each of the main characters, and even some of the minor characters, telling the story through their eyes every few pages. I thought it gave the reader a great insight into what each character was thinking and their motivation for their actions. However, after that, the story really lost a lot of it's punch. There was a lot of drag time, and the story was boring at times. I was a bit disappointed, especially since I have a couple more of his books checked out from the library. I won't return them unread, but if they don't grab me right away, I will not stick with them. There are just too many books out there begging to be read!
Up next is another library book by another author who've I had a lot of success with. Someone Else's Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage. I read her previous book, The Doctor's Wife, which I absolutely loved, so I am hoping there is a great book to follow up with. Happy Reading everyone!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The First Wife by Diana Diamond
I love Diana Diamond and thought I had read everything by this author. As I was searching along Amazon, I discovered I had somehow missed The First Wife. I got it from my library and read it Friday night and this morning/afternoon while enjoying the pleasant weather. While not my favorite book, it was still an enjoyable read and I give it a B.
Inside cover:
Jane Warren swore she'd never marry again. Sure age isn't a problem. Neither are her looks. Heaven knows that plenty of perfectly respectable men who would consider themselves lucky to end up with someone like her. Then again, the last perfectly respecatable man to end up with her- her ex-husband- ended their marriage, not to mention Jane's belief in happy endings...
But she just can't muster the cynicism to resist William Andrews- a dashing, debonair widower with two children of his own. Soon Jane's doing what she swore she'd never do; marching down the aisle, promising to have, hold, serve, and protect, till death do them part. But why does Andrew seem so obsessed with his dead wife? And why do the children seem to hate Jane so passionately?
As Jane struggles to understand the nature of the powerful hold Andrew's ffirst wife still exerts over the husband and children she left behind, her day-to-day life grows increasingly more dangerous. During a family outing, she is suddenly thrown violently from her horse. Did someone deliberately spook the horse? As she takes a midnight swim, the mechanical drome over the pool closes on her. Did it short-circuit, or was it sabotage? Are these just coincidences, or are the stakes and risks getting higher the closer Jane gets to the truth? Someone would clearly like to see her follow the first Mrs. Andrews to the grave. Why?
Jane was a difficult person to feel any sympathy for, as throughout a large amount of the book, she is trying to decide whether or not she loves William even though she is planning on marrying her. William is a very rich man, and I am sure that played a part in her reasoning, right? A lot of the book was spent with Jane talking to herself and there was a lot of telling instead of showing. Though most of the book is told through Jane's eyes, at some points the point of view was flipped half way through a paragraph which was a bit confusing. With all of that being said, the story and the suspense was well done and held me into the story.
Up next is another library book. In my email today, I just saw I have yet another library book to be picked up tomorrow. Oh my, I am not sure if I am ever going to get these finished. With that being said, I am going to hop off of the computer and get started on the next book. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and a relaxing Sunday. Happy Reading everyone!
Inside cover:
Jane Warren swore she'd never marry again. Sure age isn't a problem. Neither are her looks. Heaven knows that plenty of perfectly respectable men who would consider themselves lucky to end up with someone like her. Then again, the last perfectly respecatable man to end up with her- her ex-husband- ended their marriage, not to mention Jane's belief in happy endings...
But she just can't muster the cynicism to resist William Andrews- a dashing, debonair widower with two children of his own. Soon Jane's doing what she swore she'd never do; marching down the aisle, promising to have, hold, serve, and protect, till death do them part. But why does Andrew seem so obsessed with his dead wife? And why do the children seem to hate Jane so passionately?
As Jane struggles to understand the nature of the powerful hold Andrew's ffirst wife still exerts over the husband and children she left behind, her day-to-day life grows increasingly more dangerous. During a family outing, she is suddenly thrown violently from her horse. Did someone deliberately spook the horse? As she takes a midnight swim, the mechanical drome over the pool closes on her. Did it short-circuit, or was it sabotage? Are these just coincidences, or are the stakes and risks getting higher the closer Jane gets to the truth? Someone would clearly like to see her follow the first Mrs. Andrews to the grave. Why?
Jane was a difficult person to feel any sympathy for, as throughout a large amount of the book, she is trying to decide whether or not she loves William even though she is planning on marrying her. William is a very rich man, and I am sure that played a part in her reasoning, right? A lot of the book was spent with Jane talking to herself and there was a lot of telling instead of showing. Though most of the book is told through Jane's eyes, at some points the point of view was flipped half way through a paragraph which was a bit confusing. With all of that being said, the story and the suspense was well done and held me into the story.
Up next is another library book. In my email today, I just saw I have yet another library book to be picked up tomorrow. Oh my, I am not sure if I am ever going to get these finished. With that being said, I am going to hop off of the computer and get started on the next book. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and a relaxing Sunday. Happy Reading everyone!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Don't Cry Now by Joy Fielding
I started out reading the latest Anne Stuart and had really high hopes for it, but the book ended up being more romance than suspense so I gave up. I read over 140 pages, but still couldn't get into it, so instead of forcing myself to read it, I stopped. It was quite a liberating feeling as in the past, I would always make myself finish a book. To avoid a reading slump, I picked up a book off of my own shelves by one of my favorite authors and it was just the thing. I ended up really liking Don't Cry Now and give it a B+.
Inside cover:
Happily married with a beautiful young daughter, a handsome husband, and a sprawling house in one of Boston's most comfortable suburbs, Bonnie Wheeler has an enviable life. Even her husband's ex-wife, Joan, with her tendency toward bad timing, is merely a nuisance.
But one morning Bonnie must grasp the fragility of her perfect world. When she finds Joan shot through the heart, it becomes terrifyingly clear that someone is also after her- and her exquisite child.
Ms. Fielding does an absolute wonderful job of throwing red herrings throughout the story and left me running though all of the characters and who the bad guy could be. I thought I had it all figured out, and then all of the sudden, I would be doubting myself and talking myself out of it. I think that is the true test of a good suspense novel and love trying to figure out the mystery at the end. There were a couple of other things running through the story that I was able to figure out, but I do have to admit that it was right as the author was laying everything out for the reader. I kept saying to myself, "Oh yeah... I should have seen that coming!" Ms. Fielding always does a fantastic job of providing down-to-earth main characters who you can relate to and really root for. There was also a touching side story about Bonnie and her father that touched me so that was an extra bonus!
I just picked up three more library books and now have 8 to read! I really need to get through these, so I think this weekend I am going to spend some time away from the computer and add more time in the books! I went on a job interview a couple of weeks ago, and though I didn't get the job I applied for, I was offerred another position. I will now be a teacher's assistant instead of the teacher. I guess in some ways it is good, less stress and work, but I am still not fulfilling my dream of teaching. However, in this economy, where school districts are constantly laying off teachers, I am happy to have something steady and know where I am going each morning and not having to wait for a phone call to find out where I am going to work. I also just found out that a friend of mine is pregnant. While I am happy for her, she just started trying, and my husband and I have been trying for awhile without any luck. My hubby had a doctor appointment where there was the slight possibilty of something being severly wrong (I don't even want to type it in so I don't take the chance of jinxing ourselves) that was leading to this, but so far it looks ok. So I guess the moral of today's story is to look at the positive and be appreciative of what I do have. Anything else is just icing on the cake I guess!
Whew... sorry I went on rambling.... I guess my anxiety levels have been skyrocketing and I just needed to ge this off of my chest. Please feel free to ignore all of that, but if you haven't read a Joy Fielding book, go check one out! I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Happily married with a beautiful young daughter, a handsome husband, and a sprawling house in one of Boston's most comfortable suburbs, Bonnie Wheeler has an enviable life. Even her husband's ex-wife, Joan, with her tendency toward bad timing, is merely a nuisance.
But one morning Bonnie must grasp the fragility of her perfect world. When she finds Joan shot through the heart, it becomes terrifyingly clear that someone is also after her- and her exquisite child.
Ms. Fielding does an absolute wonderful job of throwing red herrings throughout the story and left me running though all of the characters and who the bad guy could be. I thought I had it all figured out, and then all of the sudden, I would be doubting myself and talking myself out of it. I think that is the true test of a good suspense novel and love trying to figure out the mystery at the end. There were a couple of other things running through the story that I was able to figure out, but I do have to admit that it was right as the author was laying everything out for the reader. I kept saying to myself, "Oh yeah... I should have seen that coming!" Ms. Fielding always does a fantastic job of providing down-to-earth main characters who you can relate to and really root for. There was also a touching side story about Bonnie and her father that touched me so that was an extra bonus!
I just picked up three more library books and now have 8 to read! I really need to get through these, so I think this weekend I am going to spend some time away from the computer and add more time in the books! I went on a job interview a couple of weeks ago, and though I didn't get the job I applied for, I was offerred another position. I will now be a teacher's assistant instead of the teacher. I guess in some ways it is good, less stress and work, but I am still not fulfilling my dream of teaching. However, in this economy, where school districts are constantly laying off teachers, I am happy to have something steady and know where I am going each morning and not having to wait for a phone call to find out where I am going to work. I also just found out that a friend of mine is pregnant. While I am happy for her, she just started trying, and my husband and I have been trying for awhile without any luck. My hubby had a doctor appointment where there was the slight possibilty of something being severly wrong (I don't even want to type it in so I don't take the chance of jinxing ourselves) that was leading to this, but so far it looks ok. So I guess the moral of today's story is to look at the positive and be appreciative of what I do have. Anything else is just icing on the cake I guess!
Whew... sorry I went on rambling.... I guess my anxiety levels have been skyrocketing and I just needed to ge this off of my chest. Please feel free to ignore all of that, but if you haven't read a Joy Fielding book, go check one out! I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Desert Places by Blake Crouch
I believe I heard about Desert Places on bookbitch.com though I could be mistaken. My interest was picqued though by reading the review, so I decided to place this one on hold from my library. It was a difficult book to read, and very graphic, but still very suspensful. I give it a B.
Inside cover:
Andrew Z. Thomas is a successful writer of suspense thrillers, living the dream at his lake house in the piedmont of North Carolina. One afternoon in late spring, he receives a bizarre letter that eventually threathens his career, his sanity, and the lives of everyone he loves. A murderer is designing his future, and for the life of him, Andrew can't get away.
There were definitely a lot of twists and turns in this book, and quite often I was left gasping aloud. The book starts out with a bang, when Andrew receives a letter from someone who says there is a body buried somewhere on his property with his blood all over the body. If Andrew doesn't do exactly as the man says, the police will receive an anonymous phone call leading them to the body and all the eveidence necessary for putting Andrew behind bars for a very long time, if not sending him to the electric chair. So starts an exciting ride with Andrew running for his life and trying to save those he loves. Though this book was graphic (at times, perhaps, too graphic where it wasn't necessary), I still enjoyed it. The author left the ending hanging a bit and I just learned that there is a sequel so I just placed that on hold from my library. I am excited to see what is going to happen next.
I think the next book I am going to read is a book by another new-to-me author, Anne Stuart. I have heard/read a lot about her, especially some of her romance novels, which really aren't my cup of tea, but her newest sounds like something I would enjoy. It is another library book, but after that one I am going to read one off of my own shelves. I really need to start buckling down for the RYOB challenge. Dinner is cooking right now and after that I think it will be perfect to relax on my front porch with a great book. Happy Reading everyone!
Inside cover:
Andrew Z. Thomas is a successful writer of suspense thrillers, living the dream at his lake house in the piedmont of North Carolina. One afternoon in late spring, he receives a bizarre letter that eventually threathens his career, his sanity, and the lives of everyone he loves. A murderer is designing his future, and for the life of him, Andrew can't get away.
There were definitely a lot of twists and turns in this book, and quite often I was left gasping aloud. The book starts out with a bang, when Andrew receives a letter from someone who says there is a body buried somewhere on his property with his blood all over the body. If Andrew doesn't do exactly as the man says, the police will receive an anonymous phone call leading them to the body and all the eveidence necessary for putting Andrew behind bars for a very long time, if not sending him to the electric chair. So starts an exciting ride with Andrew running for his life and trying to save those he loves. Though this book was graphic (at times, perhaps, too graphic where it wasn't necessary), I still enjoyed it. The author left the ending hanging a bit and I just learned that there is a sequel so I just placed that on hold from my library. I am excited to see what is going to happen next.
I think the next book I am going to read is a book by another new-to-me author, Anne Stuart. I have heard/read a lot about her, especially some of her romance novels, which really aren't my cup of tea, but her newest sounds like something I would enjoy. It is another library book, but after that one I am going to read one off of my own shelves. I really need to start buckling down for the RYOB challenge. Dinner is cooking right now and after that I think it will be perfect to relax on my front porch with a great book. Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Alfred Hitchcock Marathon
As I am settling in to watch an old movie on TCM, I was just made aware of an Alfred Hitchcock marathon next Saturday. Guess what I will be doing? I wanted to post this, because I know I saw on someone's blog that some where watching and then discussing Hitchcock's movies. Here's the lineup for next Saturday, June 27 (all times are EST):
6:00-7:15 am: Alfred Hitchcock Hour
7:15-9:00 am: Suspicion (one of my faves)
9:00-11:15 am: Rebecca (never saw this one all the way through, but is based on the book by Daphne du Mairer)
11:15-1:15 pm: Spellbound (another new to me)
1:15-3:30: Marnie (I've seen parts of this one and enjoyed it)
3:30-5:30: Psycho (love it, but have seen it so many times, this may be my eye break time)
5:30-8:00: North by Northwest (never saw it)
8:00-10:00: Nortorious (another new to me.... there are more than I thought!)
10:00-12:00: The Man Who Knew Too Much (again... seen bits and parts of it)
12:15-2:15: Rear Window (my absolute favorite, plus it has Grace Kelly which is always a bonus!)
2:15-4:30: Vertigo (made me a bit dizzy watching this one)
4:30-6:00: The 39 Steps (saw the play loosely based on this in NYC last fall, need to see the movie)
So there you have it. I am sometimes afraid to watch these movies, because once I have seen them, there will never be another new one. I love watching his old television shows as well. So tell me, what is your favorite Hitchcock movie?
6:00-7:15 am: Alfred Hitchcock Hour
7:15-9:00 am: Suspicion (one of my faves)
9:00-11:15 am: Rebecca (never saw this one all the way through, but is based on the book by Daphne du Mairer)
11:15-1:15 pm: Spellbound (another new to me)
1:15-3:30: Marnie (I've seen parts of this one and enjoyed it)
3:30-5:30: Psycho (love it, but have seen it so many times, this may be my eye break time)
5:30-8:00: North by Northwest (never saw it)
8:00-10:00: Nortorious (another new to me.... there are more than I thought!)
10:00-12:00: The Man Who Knew Too Much (again... seen bits and parts of it)
12:15-2:15: Rear Window (my absolute favorite, plus it has Grace Kelly which is always a bonus!)
2:15-4:30: Vertigo (made me a bit dizzy watching this one)
4:30-6:00: The 39 Steps (saw the play loosely based on this in NYC last fall, need to see the movie)
So there you have it. I am sometimes afraid to watch these movies, because once I have seen them, there will never be another new one. I love watching his old television shows as well. So tell me, what is your favorite Hitchcock movie?
Hedge Fund Wives by Tatiana Boncompagni
Hedge Fund Wives is a book I read about on a couple blogs and it really interested me. Reading about rich, spoiled (sometimes), socialite wives sitting around? Perfect summer reading if you ask me. I started it last night, and as it was a very fast read, I finished it this afternoon. I really liked it and give it a B+.
Back cover:
When her husband, John, is recruited to be a big-time hedge fund manager, Marcy Emerson gives up her job, uproots her life, and moves from Chicago to New York City. But try as she might, Marcy is never going to fit into one of the supposed seven categories of Hedge Fund Wives- the Accidental, the Westminster, the Stephanie Seymour, the Former Secretary, the Socalite, the Workaholic, or the Breeder- especially when behind every smile may lurk a stab in the back.
In a perfect world, John would have been there to help her navigate the waters, but in this volitale financial market. relationships have a way of nosediving faster than the Dow, and Marcy quickly finds herself tossed aside for a thinner, blonder model. But while living out of a suitcase and drowning her sorrows in cocktails, Marcy realizes it's time to get back up on her own two feet again... and fight for those things in her life that are far more important than money.
I loved Marcy and found her to be a real, down-to-earth character and found myself cheering for her throughout the story. I really liked how the author didn't make her this perfect person, who is all sweet and kind all of the time. While at times she acts like the fact that her husband makes over $100 million a year doesn't change her, she is able to self-reflect on herself and her actions and learn from them. It was heartwarming and refreshing to see this in a story and I enjoyed seeing Marcy grow and learn. The author also does a fantastic job explaining what, exactly, a hedge fund is, and shows how those in big leagues in NYC are affected by the recession and economy that we are all going through right now. More than chick lit, this was an enjoyable fiction read I will be looking for more of Ms. Boncompagni's books in the future.
I am not sure what is up next, though it will be another library book. I don't anticipate having much more reading time this weekend as tonight I meeting my mom and brother for dinner this evening and tomorrow we are going to the Detroit Tiger's game with my dad and his wife before going to my in-laws' house. Fun times ahead (this is sarcasm)... but Monday I will be back to my blessed time off and reading time. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
When her husband, John, is recruited to be a big-time hedge fund manager, Marcy Emerson gives up her job, uproots her life, and moves from Chicago to New York City. But try as she might, Marcy is never going to fit into one of the supposed seven categories of Hedge Fund Wives- the Accidental, the Westminster, the Stephanie Seymour, the Former Secretary, the Socalite, the Workaholic, or the Breeder- especially when behind every smile may lurk a stab in the back.
In a perfect world, John would have been there to help her navigate the waters, but in this volitale financial market. relationships have a way of nosediving faster than the Dow, and Marcy quickly finds herself tossed aside for a thinner, blonder model. But while living out of a suitcase and drowning her sorrows in cocktails, Marcy realizes it's time to get back up on her own two feet again... and fight for those things in her life that are far more important than money.
I loved Marcy and found her to be a real, down-to-earth character and found myself cheering for her throughout the story. I really liked how the author didn't make her this perfect person, who is all sweet and kind all of the time. While at times she acts like the fact that her husband makes over $100 million a year doesn't change her, she is able to self-reflect on herself and her actions and learn from them. It was heartwarming and refreshing to see this in a story and I enjoyed seeing Marcy grow and learn. The author also does a fantastic job explaining what, exactly, a hedge fund is, and shows how those in big leagues in NYC are affected by the recession and economy that we are all going through right now. More than chick lit, this was an enjoyable fiction read I will be looking for more of Ms. Boncompagni's books in the future.
I am not sure what is up next, though it will be another library book. I don't anticipate having much more reading time this weekend as tonight I meeting my mom and brother for dinner this evening and tomorrow we are going to the Detroit Tiger's game with my dad and his wife before going to my in-laws' house. Fun times ahead (this is sarcasm)... but Monday I will be back to my blessed time off and reading time. Happy Reading everyone!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Amnesia by David Best
Amnesia is a book I have had on my shelves for quite a bit. I grabbed it after finishing my last book and quickly scanned the back of it and since it grabbed my attention, I decided to read it. I was a bit disappointed and wasn't too thrilled with it. I give Amnesia a C.
Back cover:
Gibson State is a mental hospital controlled by an eccentric administrator with cutting-edge theories on memories. But it's what psychiatrist Marti Segerson remembers that brings her to this isolated asylum in rural Tennessee- serial killer Vernon Odessa. Eighteen years ago he counted Marti's sister among his victims. Marti never forgot what she saw. She still lives with her nightmares- and the need for revenge.
In the darkness of the institution, something is happening. The staff seems bound by secrecy, Odessa is engaging in mind games of his own, and Marti's memory is suddenly full of holes. The line between illusion and reality is being crossed. And even murder is not what it seems.
This book was a bit blah for me, and at times I didn't feel like picking it up to read. I thought that the premise sounded very interesting and thought that it would be something with a lot of thrills and chills and something that would spook me a bit, but it wasn't meant to be. The writing at times was somewhat choppy and the author seemed to be telling the story through Marti's eyes, then all of a sudden, in the same sentence, change voice. It was confusing and somewhat difficult to keep track of. I also thought there was a lot of telling instead of showing, which put me off a bit. I wish it was a better read, though, because I thought the premise held promise.
Up next is another library book. Unfortunetly, this week I felt like going book shopping, so instead I went to the library. I know have 7 library books to read, but I think I am going to alternate between one of mine and one of the library books. I am going to start Hedge Fund Wives, which is a book I read about on several blogs. I hope everyone is off to a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
Gibson State is a mental hospital controlled by an eccentric administrator with cutting-edge theories on memories. But it's what psychiatrist Marti Segerson remembers that brings her to this isolated asylum in rural Tennessee- serial killer Vernon Odessa. Eighteen years ago he counted Marti's sister among his victims. Marti never forgot what she saw. She still lives with her nightmares- and the need for revenge.
In the darkness of the institution, something is happening. The staff seems bound by secrecy, Odessa is engaging in mind games of his own, and Marti's memory is suddenly full of holes. The line between illusion and reality is being crossed. And even murder is not what it seems.
This book was a bit blah for me, and at times I didn't feel like picking it up to read. I thought that the premise sounded very interesting and thought that it would be something with a lot of thrills and chills and something that would spook me a bit, but it wasn't meant to be. The writing at times was somewhat choppy and the author seemed to be telling the story through Marti's eyes, then all of a sudden, in the same sentence, change voice. It was confusing and somewhat difficult to keep track of. I also thought there was a lot of telling instead of showing, which put me off a bit. I wish it was a better read, though, because I thought the premise held promise.
Up next is another library book. Unfortunetly, this week I felt like going book shopping, so instead I went to the library. I know have 7 library books to read, but I think I am going to alternate between one of mine and one of the library books. I am going to start Hedge Fund Wives, which is a book I read about on several blogs. I hope everyone is off to a great weekend and Happy Reading!
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