A Killer Plot - Ellery Adams

A Killer Plot is the first in a brand new cozy series by Ellery Adams. Olivia Limoges is the main character with a haunting past. She returns to her hometown a wealthy woman and is often the center of the town's gossip. She comes across as aloof and uncaring. She's still wounded from her childhood and is learning how to break down her walls.

She's given the chance to join the Bayside Book Writers, a group of hopeful writers who meet regularly to critique their rough drafts, where she meets new friends. The offer comes from Camden Ford, who is currently writing a book about the high-powered Talbot family. When Camden is killed, Olivia feels a sense of loss for her new friend and takes it upon herself to find his killer.

A Killer Plot is a fresh addition to the cozy genre. Olivia is a complex main character, while the secondary characters assist with moving her forward from the isolation she feels as a result of her past. There's a hint of a love interest for her, but it doesn't deflect from the mystery. Adams does a fantastic job with character development and description of Oyster Bay, that the reader can easily visualize each scene while reading. Some may question Olivia's relationship with her poodle Havilland and how she communicates with him. It's through this relationship that Olivia is the most vulnerable and is seen with emotion.

The storyline moves at a steady pace and I never felt it was rushed. I didn't solve the mystery and was quite surprised at the killer's identity and the motives for the killings. If you're a cozy fan and looking for a new series, I highly recommend A Killer Plot. The second book, A Deadly Cliche will be released in March 2011.

Book details:
Series: A Books by the Bay Mystery #1
ISBN: 978-0425235225
Pages: 320
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: Crazy Book Tours

I received a copy of A Killer Plot from Crazy Book Tours. Receiving this free copy did not influence my review in any way.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's what I'm looking forward to:

Title: The Diva Cooks a Goose
Author: Krista Davis
Release Date: December 7

A Scrooge steals presents right from under Sophie Winston's family Christmas tree. Then her sister-in-law's father show's up with a diva girlfriend just a month after his separation. More than one person is thinking of committing a merry murder-until it actually happens! With many under suspicion for the deadly deed, can Sophie find the murderer and restore the Christmas spirit before it's too late? (From Amazon.com)

Queen of Babble in the Big City - Meg Cabot

My Summary:
After spending the summer in France, Lizzie, Luke, Shari and Chaz move to New York City to begin the next chapter in their lives. Luke and Lizzie move in together and their relationship quickly turns serious. Meanwhile, Chaz and Shari are drifting apart.

As her three friends begin school and work, Lizzie struggles to find her niche. Chaz suggests she apply for the front desk receptionist at his father's law firm. It's about this time when she volunteers her services at a wedding gown boutique.

Lizzie and her friends soon realize their dreams and goals for the big city may not go as planned.

My thoughts:
I enjoyed Queen of Babble in the Big City more so than the first book, Queen of Babble. Lizzie appeared to be more mature in this book. She still found herself in sticky situations, but overall handled them pretty well.

What didn't work for me was her relationship with Luke. Luke appeared to be "too perfect" in Queen of Babble. In Queen of Babble in the Big City, I couldn't help but wonder what he was really up to.

All in all, it was a quick read. The ending didn't feel abrupt and flowed with the storyline. I was quite pleased with the events that led up to the ending (actually I secretly wished for it all along). Then Luke had to throw a wrench in it.

Why I read this book:
Queen of Babble in the Big City has been sitting on my unread bookshelf for almost two years. And, okay, I just really enjoy reading serial books written by Meg Cabot!

Do I recommend?
Yes, but read the series in order. Fans of Meg Cabot will enjoy this trilogy.

Book Details:
Series: Queen of Babble #2
ISBN-13: 9780060852016
Pages: 307
Release Date: May 20, 2008
Genre: Chick Lit
Source: Purchased from Barnes & Noble

Sunday Salon

It has been a very, very (VERY) long time since my last Sunday Salon post. From work stress, out-of-town trips, sickness and just tiredness have kept me from writing my Sunday posts. As I sit writing this, I cannot believe we are about to enter the last quarter of 2010. Where has this year gone?

I'm paying attention to how often it seems I change the calendar pages because my goal of reading 144 books in 2010 will not happen. I'm wondering if I will make it to 100. Sometimes, things just do not go as planned and when that happens, I just have to learn how to roll with it. Keep moving and don't give up where I am.

On a good bookish note, I recently purchased a Kindle! The decrease in price and the addition of the Graphite model helped me to finally click the "Add to Cart" button. I've had it for about three weeks and love it. Making the adjustment from reading a paper book to the Kindle was a lot easier than I originally anticipated. After spending time changing the font and font size, I was able to settle in and read and completely forgot I was reading on my Kindle.

I'm still reading hardback and paperbacks and find it amusing when I try to change the font size. The built-in dictionary is one of my favorite features. I'm quite surprised how quickly I took to the Kindle because I was definitely one who repeatedly said "I love the feel of a book in my hands." Even though I love my Kindle, I cannot give up going to the library or the book store. I don't view it as one or the other. For me, they complement each other.

The one thing I have to be careful of is buying books. The "Buy now with 1-click" button is so easy and so very tempting. So to prevent my wallet from exploding, I decided to purchase gift cards each month to help me stay within my budget. I've only purchased two books so far, but that's mainly due to the 20+ library books I have currently checked out. All in all, I'm happy that I finally bought a Kindle. Two weeks ago I was on the train to NYC and finished reading a book. It was convenient to purchase a book minutes later for the duration of my trip.

I could go on and on about my Kindle, but I won't. Today will be spent reading and catching up on book reviews. What are your plans for this Sunday?

Happy Sunday everyone!

Trust - Kate Veitch

Summary:
Susanna Greenfield has given her all to being a good daughter, sister, wife, and mother. Somehow, she's maintained her profession as a college art teacher, as well as rearing two headstrong teenagers and nurturing a twenty-year marriage to Gerry, a confident, ambitious architect. She's also the eternal peacemaker between her pretty younger sister Angie, former junkie turned born-again Christian, and their strong- willed mother, Jean. Just when Susanna is struggling to revive her creative career, a devastating accident rips apart the fabric of her world, exposing secrets which threaten to destroy both a marriage, and a life. Plumbing the rich emotional vocabulary of faith and betrayal, loyalty and forgiveness, Trust is the story of a woman's challenge to find her self. (From B&N.com)

My thoughts:
I first discovered Trust while browsing at Barnes and Noble. When it was offered as a tour selection from Crazy Book Tours, I knew I had to sign up. I enjoy reading books that deal with family dynamics.

It took awhile for me to connect with the characters, including Susanna. The beginning chapters moved slowly for me and I became impatient as I waited for the event to occur. I must say, though, after finishing the book, I realized the initial slow pace is crucial to the storyline. It was much easier to view Susanna's life as before the event occurs and after the event.

The second half of the story Trust was much better for me, although I still had not warmed up to Gerry (and I never did). Witnessing the transformation of Susanna was both heart-breaking, but yet inspiring. As the veil of illusion was lifted regarding her marriage, Susanna gained the confidence to become the woman she always wanted to be.

Book details:
ISBN: 978-0452296350
Pages: 357
Release Date: June 29, 2010
Genre: Fiction
Source: Crazy Book Tours

I received a copy of Trust from Crazy Book Tours. Receiving this free copy did not influence my review in any way.

The Life You've Imagined - Kristina Riggle

Are you living the life you've imagined? In Kristina Riggle's second novel, four women ask themselves this very question. Anna is a lawyer living in Chicago. She left her small hometown of Haven as quickly as she could without looking back. She's made a new life for herself, a life she is proud of. She's worked hard and is up for Partner at her law firm. All this changes when her mentor and close friend, August, dies. Much to her chagrin she's asked to take bereavement leave to cope with her grief. For all intent and purposes, her time home was only supposed to be for a little while. Funny how life can detour your plans.

Cami has also returned home. She and Anna are high school friends. The two woman part ways shortly after graduation. Cami is a tutor and recently broke up with her boyfriend. She has no place to go after he learns of her gambling addiction. Her father is an abusive alcoholic and doesn't care much for Cami's return home. He allows it with a condition: she must never go into his bedroom. Naturally this causes Cami to wonder what is it he is hiding from her.

Maeve is Anna's mother. She owns the Nee Nance store and resides in the apartment above the store. She was once married to Robert, Anna's father, and he left them when Anna was a little girl. Now, Robert is back in her life and wants a second chance. Maeve is hesitant at first, but eventually her love for Robert gets the best of her and she begins answering his letters. Fate may be kind to her this time as his plans to start over come when Maeve's lease for the store is up. Maybe she won't have to spend the rest of her life alone.

Amy is marrying into one of Haven's wealthiest families. Amy feels very lucky to have met Paul. In high school she was quite overweight and none of the boys paid her any attention. Now in her mid-30s, she's lost a lot of weight (thanks to running every morning) and is determined to stay that way. Even if it costs her her happiness.

In her second novel, Riggle examines the dreams and hopes we had growing up and in early adulthood. Each woman is at a turning point in her life and comes to face the question: is this the life that I've imagined? As each woman struggles with this answer, Riggle takes us back to their past to help the reader fully understand the path taken that has brought each woman to the fork in the road. Told in alternating chapters, Riggle does a fantastic job of giving each woman her own voice.

I'd admit after reading Real Life & Liars last year, I had high expectations for her follow-up novel. I'm happy to say not only was I not disappointed, it was just as good or better than I thought it would be. I must warn you though, long after the book ends, you may find yourself thinking about where you are today and the choices you've made that led you to this point. Some of these choices may have been good ones, and some. . . well, may have you asking for a do-over. All in all, I highly recommend this novel.

Book details:
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-170629-5
Pages: 334
Release Date: August 17, 2010
Genre: Women's Fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher, Personal copy

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a participant of the book club discussion hosted by Jen of Devourer of Books. My participation in this discussion and receiving a free copy did not influence my review in any way. It should be noted, I also purchased a finished copy from Borders.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Sheila, of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books, is the host of It's Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Read last week:

• Queen of Babble Gets Hitched - Meg Cabot
  Summary: The conclusion of the Queen of Babble trilogy. Will Luke and Lizzie finally walk down the aisle?
  
• Private - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
  Summary: The start of a new series by Mr. Patterson. In this installment, the Private employees are working on solving the murders of high school girls, a rumor involving NFL games being fixed and the death of a close friend of one of the employees.
• The Life You've Imagined - Kristina Riggle
  Summary: Four women deal with their life choices as each decide if this is truly the life she really wants.
  

I'm Reading:

• Trust - Kate Veitch
  

Next on my list:

• Good Enough to Eat - Stacey Ballis
  
• A Killer Plot - Ellery Adams
  

What are you reading this week?