Holiday Review: Trading Christmas

Trading Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Narrated by Renee Raudman

Emily is disappointed when her daughter Heather announces she’s not coming home for Christmas.  She calls her friend Faith and explains she will be spending the holidays alone.  Faith, being a good friend, decides to surprise Emily by paying her visit.  Meanwhile, Emily has researched swapping houses for the holiday.  If Heather can’t come home, she’ll go to her.  After all, family should be together during the Christmas season.  In her haste to leave, she doesn’t call Faith to tell her her new holiday plans.

Charles is the man Emily is swapping houses with.  He can’t get out of Boston fast enough.  The holiday carolers, the last minute shoppers and the festivities are too much for him.  Escaping to a small town is just what this man needs.  Until he realizes the town of Leavenworth is even more festive than Boston.  When Faith arrives at Emily’s, she finds Charles there instead.  Not sure what to make of him or their situation, Faith decides not to allow this scrooge to ruin her holiday.

Ray, Charles’s brother decides to visit him after receiving a phone call from their meddling mother.  She claims a woman answered the phone and demands to know if she’s “the one” for her son.  Ray travels to Boston to find out the woman’s identity and meets Emily.

Trading Christmas is a predictable holiday romance.  Grab a plate of holiday cookies, a glass of eggnog and your favorite throw.  Curl up on a cold winter’s day and enjoy this festive story.

Length: 5 hours, 28 minutes

Source: Library

TLC Book Tours: Things Remembered

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven

Life has not always been easy for Karla.  After losing her parents at a young age, Karla and her two sisters, Heather and Grace, are sent to live with their maternal grandmother Anna.  Karla never felt close to Anna and often was jealous of the bond Anna had with her two sisters.

It is out of obligation that Karla returns home to Anna when she falls ill.  Anna is suffering from congestive heart failure and solicits Karla's help with putting her affairs in order.  Early on Karla makes sure Anna knows she only agreed to help her because she's the oldest daughter and she feels responsible for Anna's well-being.  While Anna simply wants to bury the past and try to mend their relationship during the little time she has left.

In Things Remembered, Bockoven wonderfully illustrates the dynamics of a not-so-perfect family.  Each sister has her own personal struggles, insecurities and dreams.  Birth order, letting go of past hurts and perceptions, and starting over are recurring themes in the novel.  Bockoven created two flawed and stubborn characters that the reader can easily sympathize with.  I really liked both Anna and Karla and wanted to see them repair their relationship.

This is not the first book I read by Bockoven.  I thoroughly enjoyed The Beach House and will continue to read more of her collection.  Recommended. 

Visit Georgia's website or find her on Facebook.

To read more reviews on this tour, click here

Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose

Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose

Meet Alex.  She's a recent college grad living in Brooklyn with her boyfriend Peter.  She's a blogger for Chick Habit, a website geared mainly for women.  She wakes early every morning scouring the internet to find her early morning post. She initially loved her work, however the pressure to meet her monthly quota and constantly watching the number of hits her posts receive, is starting to
take its toll on her.

During the day, Alex rarely leaves her couch.  When she does leave, her iPhone is always near (can't miss the latest news breaking story!).  She wears the same clothes for several days in a row and is aware this is an issue, however her job takes priority (after all she does work from home so really it's not that serious!).

When Alex receives an anonymous email with a video attachment of a good girl gone bad, Alex thinks this could be her big break.  Despite her internal warnings, Alex agrees to post the video to Chick Habit and becomes an overnight sensation.  What Alex isn't ready for is the impact this decision will have on her life.

Sad Desk Salad is a quick, light read.  It's easy for the reader to get wrapped up in Alex's story, although at times Alex is a bit immature and self-centered.  Character growth doesn't happen quickly.  Alex's path to self-discovery is quite bumpy.  Along the way, she learns valuable lessons about life and the woman she strives to be.

Visit Jessica's website, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.

To read more reviews on this tour, click here

Book Review: Freak by Jennifer Hillier

Freak by Jennifer Hillier

Publisher:  Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster, Inc.)
Pages:  432
Genre:  Thriller

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS TO CREEP

Freak is the anticipated follow-up to Hillier's Creep.  Professor Sheila Tao is still recovering from her affair with Ethan Wolfe.  Her upcoming nuptials with Morris is permanently on hold and her job may be in jeopardy.  

Jerry Isaac is forever changed. After Abby attacked him, he has turned into a bitter and angry man.  His hatred for Abby runs so deep, it cost him his marriage.

Now that Abby is behind bars, a new serial killer has emerged.  This one is more sick and twisted than Ethan in Creep.  Young women are being murdered all for the sake of freeing Abby.  The killer is obsessed with Abby and will continue his killing spree until she is released from prison.  Unwillingly Jerry agrees to assist his former partner in tracking down the killer.  Despite his feelings for Abby, he doesn't want any more innocent women killed.

Having read Creep earlier this year (which I loved, by the way), I could not wait to get my hands on Freak.  For the most part, I always have high expectations to a sequel, especially if I thoroughly enjoyed the first book.  So, I'll admit I was a bit nervous to start reading Freak.  I wanted to it to have that same "creepy feel" to it.  I'm happy to say it did (sounds a bit odd to say that!).

In Creep, Hillier created Ethan to be a true psychopath.  He was gorgeous, intelligent and came across as the boy next door.  But his true colors were sick and twisted.  With Abby, Hillier outdid herself.  She created a scary and tormented villain.   Abby was conniving, manipulative and determined.  She was pure evil.  All characteristics that make a thriller so thrilling.

What I liked best about Freak was it turned everything I thought about Creep upside down.  I was 100% certain Ethan killed those women.  Abby was his girlfriend and was mentally and emotionally traumatized because of it.  Well, after getting a glimpse of the real Abby in Freak, I'm not sure sure I believe in her innocence.

I'm not sure what's next for Jerry, Sheila or Abby.  I do hope Hillier brings them back in a third book.  If you enjoy reading thrillers and like being creeped out, I highly recommend Freak.  I do, however, suggest reading Creep first.

More from Jennifer Hillier:
Creep


(Print copy provided by the publisher for review)

TLC Book Tours: 15 Seconds by Andrew Gross

15 Seconds by Andrew Gross

It's About:  15 Seconds can tear your life apart. . .

Henry Steadman didn't know what was about to hit him when he pulled up to a red light.  A successful Florida plastic surgeon, he is in town to deliver a keynote address at a conference when suddenly his life becomes an unrelenting chase to stay alive.

The situation escalates when he is stopped by the police for a minor traffic violation and pulled from his vehicle, handcuffed and told he is under arrest.  Several other police cars arrive and the questioning turns scary, but just as Henry is released and about to move on, a blue sedan pulls up and the officer is suddenly killed.  As the car speeds away, there is only one suspect left behind⎯Henry.  In that moment, his idyllic life becomes a free fall into hell as he becomes the target of a police manhunt, as well as being pursued by a cunning, unnamed perpetrator bent on some kind of vengeance.

When Henry turns to a close friend for help, and he, too, ends up dead, Henry realized he's being elaborately framed.  But in a chilling twist, the stakes grow even darker, and he is unable to go to the police to clear his name, without bringing on dire and deadly consequences.

With breakneck pacing and nonstop action, 15 Seconds shows what can happen when even the best life is turned upside down in an instant.  It is also the story of an innocent man, framed for murder, who has to save the person he loves the most, all while being drawn closer and closer to an inevitable face-to-face standoff with a man determined to destroy his life. (From the inside cover)

My Review:  I've read several thrillers Gross co-authored with James Patterson and enjoyed them.  When I was given the opportunity to participate in his 15 Seconds book tour, I jumped at the chance.  I was curious to see if Gross could deliver a thriller on his own.  And I'm happy to say I was not disappointed!

Gross initially unfolds the plot slowly for the reader.  One by one the reader is first introduced to the key players in the novel:  Henry Steadman, the policeman and the killer.  After that single moment when all three come into contact, the story takes off at a fast pace.   As Henry moves against time to clear his name and track down the killer, I found myself reading each page faster to keep up!  The novel is filled with suspenseful twist and turns that will keep the reader glued to the pages.   15 Seconds read like a movie as I could vividly see the characters come to life in my mind.  

What I like best about plot-driven novels is the coming together of the story lines.  Gross provides the right amount of back story for each character, to allow the reader a quick look into their lives, while at the same time keeping the plot moving.  At times, significant clues are revealed to the reader prior to Henry's knowledge and I did not consider that to be a bad thing.  I usually try to figure out the mystery before the protagonist does!  

I enjoyed reading 15 Seconds.  It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day at work.  If you enjoy reading a thriller that's fast-paced, and at times predictable, then I recommend adding 15 Seconds to your summer reading list.  As for me, I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

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ISBN: 9780061655975

Pub. Date: July 10, 2012

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages:  336

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Source: TLC Book Tours

Connect with the Author:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

15 Seconds TLC Tour Stops:

Tuesday, July 10th: Drey’s Library
Wednesday, July 11th: Luxury Reading
Thursday, July 12th: Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
Friday, July 13th: Iwriteinbooks’s blog
Monday, July 16th: Jen’s Book Thoughts
Tuesday, July 17th: M. Denise C.
Wednesday, July 18th: My Book Retreat
Thursday, July 19th: Me and Reading
Friday, July 20th: One Book at a Time
Monday, July 23rd: a novel toybox
Tuesday, July 24th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Wednesday, July 25th: Book Him Danno!
Thursday, July 26th: Me, My Book and the Couch
Friday, July 27th: My Two Blessings
Monday, July 30th: Reviews from the Heart
Tuesday, July 31st: Book Addict Katie
Wednesday, August 1st: Musings of an All Purpose Monkey
Thursday, August 2nd: I Read. Do You?
Friday, August 3rd: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review: The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March

The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March

Life doesn't always go as planned.  Lolly Weller, her daughter Kat, and two nieces Isabel and June, know this all too well.  Fifteen years ago the unexpected happened, leaving these four women struggling with grief.

Lolly doesn't like the fact that after her daughter and nieces grew up, her family is not as close as it once was.  She has an announcement to make and thinks it is the perfect excuse to call the girls home.

Isabel is married and living in Connecticut.  She's known her husband since she was sixteen and considers him to be her rock.  Lately, though, their marriage feels strained and Isabel wants to tackle the problems so they can move forward.  Her husband, however doesn't share her desire to make their marriage work.

June, Isabel's younger sister, is a single mother.  Not so long ago, she had a promising future:  valedictorian in high school, Columbia University student, and a future in publishing.  That changed the moment she met the mysterious John Smith.  Now, June is working at an independent book store and barely can make ends meet.  Charlie is asking questions about his father which sends June on a quest to reconnect with John.

Kat, Lolly's daughter, never moved away from her hometown.  She's best friends with the boy next door and everyone is expecting them to marry.  Kat has dreams of her own and marriage certainly isn't part of them.  At least not now.

When Lolly makes her announcement, these women are drawn closer together.  Family bonds are strengthened with the help of the fifth, silent character:  Meryl Streep.  The women watch Meryl Streep movies together and discuss how each movie is relevant to their lives.  Past regret, guilt and hurt resurface allowing for self-exploration and change.  For me, this was what I enjoyed most about the book.  I definitely could relate to tying in a movie to your life.  I often do this with music.  There are songs I listen to when I'm having a bad day, songs for relaxation, songs for when I'm sad, etc.  Music definitely speaks to me, just as Meryl Streep's characters spoke to these women.

I have to admit, my first impression of The Meryl Streep Movie Club was a breezy, light read perfect for a hot summer day.  I was pleasantly surprised that it was much deeper and tackled issues such as: infidelity, single parenting, self-discovery and one more, but I won't say.  That would spoil the book!

The Meryl Streep Movie Club is March's debut novel.  I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.  Recommended.
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Book Details:
ISBN: 9781451655391
Pub. Date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages:  352
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Print copy provided by the publisher

TLC Book Tours: Playing Dead by Julia Heaberlin

Playing Dead by Julia Heaberlin

“Dear Tommie: Have you ever wondered about who you are?” 
 
The letter that turns Tommie McCloud’s world upside down arrives from a stranger only days after her father’s death. The woman who wrote it claims that Tommie is her daughter—and that she was kidnapped as a baby thirty-one years ago.
 
Tommie wants to believe it’s all a hoax, but suddenly a girl who grew up on a Texas ranch finds herself  linked to a horrific past: the slaughter of a family in Chicago, the murder of an Oklahoma beauty queen, and the kidnapping of a little girl named Adriana. Tommie races along a twisting, nightmarish path while an unseen stalker is determined to keep old secrets locked inside the dementia-battered brain of the woman who Tommie always thought was her real mother. With everything she has ever believed in question, and no one she can trust, Tommie must discover the truth about the girl who vanished—and the very real threats that still remain.  

I wasn't quite sure what I was in for when I began reading Playing Dead.  Right away, I found myself engaged in the story.  Pages just seemed to flip themselves as Tommie began to unravel the secrets her parents were keeping from her.  I told myself, "just one more chapter", and continuing  to read about five or six more.

What kept me connected to the story was Tommie.  I'm starting to realize I enjoy novels with a flawed protagonist and he/she knows this, but yet continues to keep moving forward despite of it.  Tommie's life didn't turn out as she had hoped as a little girl.  Despite her resentment, regret and questions of "what if?", she has made a new life for herself.

Tommie is a complicated character, but yet I found myself liking her more and more as the story progressed.  She's very guarded and self-reliant, however she's extremely protective of her family.  Deep down she feels no matter what she learns about her true identity, her sister and niece will always come first.

The mysterious letter Tommie receives is the catalyst that springs the mystery forward.  Is it possible she's the daughter of a Mafia boss?  And what role does her mother play in all this?  How could the man she considered to be her father lie to her all these years?  Heaberlin did an excellent job with giving the reader enough clues to begin to solve the mystery, while including twists and turns to make you second guess your theory.  Which makes a mystery a good one, in my opinion.  Recommended.

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Book Details:

ISBN: 9780345527011

Pub. Date: May 29, 2012

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pages:  452

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Source: TLC Book Tours

Connect with the Author:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Playing Dead TLC Tour Stops:

Monday, June 18th:  Marybeth Whalen

Tuesday, June 19th:  Life in Review

Wednesday, June 20th:  Me, My Book, and the Couch

Friday, June 22nd:  A Novel Source

Monday, June 25th:  Jen’s Book Thoughts

Thursday, June 28th:  Quirky Bookworm

Monday, July 2nd:  Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Thursday, July 5th:  Jenn’s Bookshelves

Monday, July 9th:  Twisting the Lens

Wednesday, July 11th:  Reviews by Elizabeth A. White

Friday, July 13th:  Luxury Reading

Monday, July 16th:  “That’s Swell!”

Wednesday, July 18th:  Broken Teepee

Review: Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Summary:  Jolene Zarkades had a tough life growing up.  She watched her two alcoholic parents destroy each other and their marriage.  Jolene had to fend for herself as her parents often neglected her.  She vowed she would be different and would not left her past dictate her future.

Now at forty-one, Jolene is married to Michael and mother to Betsy and Lulu.  She's an army helicopter pilot and has learned happiness is a personal choice to be made each day.  She strives to see every problem as an opportunity to become a better person.

All of this changes when she feels Michael growing distant from her.  He spends more and more time at work and barely pays attention to his daughters.  Promises are often broken and tension fills the room when they are together.  Michael then tells her he doesn't love her anymore.  Within days of hearing this, Jolene is deployed to Iraq.  Michael is thrust into the role of primary care provider, a role he quickly learns he is not prepared for.

My Thoughts:  After reading Firefly Lane a few years ago, Hannah has been on my "must read" list.  Each year I anticipate her latest release as I know I will laugh and cry throughout the book.  Home Front was no exception.

Hannah has a way of creating characters that the reader will come to embrace and consider friends.  No, these characters are not perfect.  In fact they are flawed and at times difficult to like.  But that is what makes them real.  Her characters could be a sister, a friend or the next-door neighbor.  Relationships are often messy and sometimes life just does not go as planned.  Hannah tackles both themes well and spins an intricate story that will leave the reader on an emotional ride.  Highly recommended.

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Book Details:
ISBN: 9780312577209
Pub. Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages:  400
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Print copy borrowed from library

Review: Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

Summary:  Life hasn't gone as Alice Buckle expected.  Her teenage daughter is distant and Alice fears she may have an eating disorder.  She suspects her son may be gay.  Her relationship with her husband feels more like roommates than marriage.  Let's face it, Alice is unhappy.  So when a marital questionnaire mysteriously pops up in her inbox, Alice decides to complete it with hopes of finding herself.  She's given a case ID # "Wife 22" and is assigned to "Researcher 101".  Her answers are confidential and soon Alice finds herself opening up to her case worker.

Review:  Wife 22 is a modern look at marriage by use of Facebook status updates, Google searches, and email.  Alice finds herself stuck:  she's a mother and a wife, but cannot escape the feeing that there should be more.  At one time she had goals and plans for her life, but one day she woke up and realized the life she's currently living doesn't feel like her own.

The marital questionnaire comes at the right time for Alice.  She's questioning her self-worth which leads her to question how happily married she is.  At first the questions feel a bit routine and mundane, but Alice continues responding to each question.  When the questions begin to be more intimate in nature, she finds herself curious about Researcher 101.  To Alice's surprise, she becomes attracted to him and fantasizes about him while offline.

I really enjoyed reading Wife 22.  Gideon's use of social media made this novel refreshing.  Gideon created a likable character with Alice.  She struggles to make the most of what she has, but cannot help to wonder "what if?"   All of us, sooner or later, will think about the path not taken or ask the question:  "how is this my life?!"  Readers will root for Alice as she makes her way through to discover answers to these questions.

I like that I didn't know the survey questions before reading Alice's answers.  Some of the questions were predictable based on her response, but for the most part I had no idea.  The questions are included in the appendix.  I found myself going back and re-reading her answers after reading the questions.

With summer around the corner, Wife 22 is a perfect companion to drop in your beach bag or curl up with on the deck.  Hang out with Alice for awhile to discover if she learns what it takes to be happy in one's marriage and life.

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Book Details:
ISBN: 9780345527950
Pub. Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages:  400
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

TLC Book Tour: Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton

The school is on fire. Her children are inside.

Grace runs toward the burning building, desperate to reach them.

In the aftermath of the devastating fire which tears her family apart, Grace embarks on a mission to find the person responsible and protect her children from further harm. This fire was not an accident, and her daughter Jenny may still be in grave danger. Grace is the only one who can discover the culprit, and she will do whatever it takes to save her family and find out who committed the crime that rocked their lives. While unearthing truths about her life that may help her find answers, Grace learns more about everyone around her — and finds she has courage she never knew she possessed.

Powerful and beautiful, with a riveting story and Lupton’s trademark elegant style that made Sister such a sweeping success, Afterwards explores the depths of a mother’s unswerving love.

My thoughts: 
Last year it seemed as though Sister by Rosamund Lupton was on everyone's reading list, but mine.  I read glowing reviews and several people recommended it to me, however I did not get the chance to read it.  So when the opportunity to review Afterwards came about, I immediately jumped at the chance.  And I'm so glad that I did.

Grace is volunteering at her son's sports day at school.  Jenny is also there to assist with any medical injuries.  What should have been a fun, carefree day ends in tragedy with the school fire.  Jenny is inside the building and when Grace realizes this, she runs in to try to save her.  Both mother and daughter are caught in the fire and receive extensive injuries.

As Grace's husband and son try to cope with the aftermath, the reader learns Grace and Jenny are now spirits and can only communicate with each other.  I admit it took almost six chapters for me to get comfortable with this.  I wasn't quite sure how this occurred and I needed to have this question answered!  I just decided to let it go and focus on who started the fire and why.

For someone who enjoys a good "whodunit", Afterwards was a change for me.  It definitely fit the twisty plot, fast-paced mold, but the character development was what hooked me to the story.  The reader learned intimate details about Grace and her family and the secondary characters as Grace narrates the story.  Flashbacks were used to add more depth and understanding about Grace's love for her children and husband.

Lupton definitely can tell a story!  Her descriptions were so vivid, so real that I had no difficulty picturing each scene in my mind.  When the mystery is finally solved, I did not suspect this person.  At. All.

Afterwards is a fascinating study about a mother's love for her family.  What a mother is willing to sacrifice for the sake of her children.  Do yourself a favor, pick this one up.  As for me, I'm adding Sister to my "must read" list for 2012!

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Book Details:

ISBN: 9780307716546

Pub. Date: April 24, 2012

Publisher:  Crown

Pages: 400

Genre: Literary Fiction, Mystery

Source: TLC Book Tours

Please visit other stops on the tour:

Wednesday, May 9th:  Girls Just Reading
Thursday, May 10th:  Boarding in my Forties
Friday, May 11th:  Coffee and a Book Chick
Monday, May 14th:  Peeking Between the Pages
Tuesday, May 15th:  Into the Hall of Books
Wednesday, May 16th:  Melody & Words
Thursday, May 17th:  Lit Endeavors

Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Summary:  Kate Sanford is thirty years old, living as though she's still in college.  Her friends are all twenty-something and think she is a 25 year old graduate student.  Life hasn't exactly turned out as she had hoped.  Kate is still finding herself and making mistakes along the way.

It's fate when Kate is offered an interview on her birthday.  The night before the big day, she goes out with friends, promising herself it's just for one drink and she'll come home and prepare for the interview.  Only one drink turns into several and Kate stumbles home after dawn.  She wakes up with only minutes to dress, catch a cab and arrive to her interview on time.

It's obvious to everyone at the interview Kate is still drunk.  She's doing her best to appear lucid, but instead sounds like a babbling fool.  When the nausea hits her full force, she runs out of the interview and proceeds to vomit in the bathroom.

Needless to say Kate doesn't get the job.  A few days later the magazine calls her.  They have a proposition:  get admitted to the same rehab as Amber, the current IT Girl, write an exclusive and the position is hers.  Kate instantly agrees.

My Thoughts:  Initially when I first discovered Spin, I thought it would be a quick read.  A great way to wind down after a long work day.  Actually, Spin wasn't as light as I thought it would be.  Kate struggled with real-life issues:  insecurity, disappointment and frustration with how her life currently is, alcoholism, family issues and trust.  These themes made Spin quite the engaging read.

I enjoyed watching Kate's transformation from a carefree woman to discovering her potential.  Although her time in rehab initially was her ticket to her dream job, she used it as a way to learn more about herself and her role in her family.

Spin took me by surprise.  I adored Kate and wanted her to continue growing and moving forward with her life.  I wouldn't mind reading a "where is Kate now?" sequel!  I definitely want to read more of McKenzie's future books.  Highly recommended.

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Book Details:
ISBN: 9780062115355
Pub. Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages:  448
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Print copy borrowed from library

Private: #1 Suspect by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

Private:  #1 Suspect by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
Private Series, book 2

Private director Jack Morgan is accused of a horrible murder⎯and not even his own world-class investigators can prove he didn't do it.

UNSOLVABLE CASES

Since former marine Jack Morgan started Private, it has become the world's most effective investigation firm⎯sought out by the famous and the powerful to discreetly handle their most intimate problems.  Private's investigators are the smartest, the fastest, and the most technologically advanced in the world⎯and they always uncover the truth.

IMPOSSIBLE MURDERS

When his former lover is found murdered in Jack's bed, he is instantly the number one suspect.  While Jack is under police investigation, the Mob strong-arms him into recovering $30 million in stolen pharmaceuticals for them.  And the beautiful manager of a luxury hotel chain persuades him to quietly investigate a string of murders at her properties.

THE #1 SUSPECT IS JACK MORGAN

While Jack is fighting for his life, one of his most trusted colleagues threatens to leave Private, and Jack realizes he is confrtonting the cleverest and most powerful enemies yet.  with more action, more intrigue, and more twists than ever before Private:  #1 Suspect is James Patterson at his unstoppable best. (Book Jacket)

My Thoughts:
Private #1 Suspect started out with a bang... literally.  I was caught up in the action from page one.  Having read Private, the first book of the series, awhile ago, it took me a few minutes to remember the characters.  Luckily Patterson provided a brief description of the key players.

Unfortunately about the middle of the book, the storyline started to drag for me.  Jack and his employees are frantically trying to prove his innocence while the police detective assigned to his case thinks Jack committed the murder.  Meanwhile, Jack is tormented about his feelings for his murdered ex-girlfriend, harboring feelings for another past love and thinking about a new woman.  It was a bit much and distracted me from the murder mystery.

Jack has a hunch who could have set him up.  Someone who has been out to get him for a long time.  When the killer's identity is finally revealed, it was anti-climatic and felt a bit forced.  Needless to say, I didn't enjoy Private #1 Suspect as much as I did Private.

Will I continue the series?
Despite my disappointment with the second book, I will continue reading Patterson's Private series.  Overall, I like Jack Morgan.  He's a broken man with a past that continues to haunt him.  He keeps people at a distance, but underneath there is a warm, caring man waiting to be released.  I hope the readers will eventually meet him.

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Book Details:
ISBN: 9780316097406
Pub. Date: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages:  432
Genre: Thriller
Source: Print copy borrowed from library

Review: Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister

Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women gather to celebrate their friend Kate's recovery from cancer.  Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them:  to celebrate her new lease on life, she'll do the one thing that's always terrified her:  whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon.  But if she goes, each of them must promise to do one thing in the next year that is new, or difficult, or scary - and Kate gets to choose their challenges.

Shimmering with warmth, wit, and insight, Joy for Beginners is a celebration of life:  unexpected, lyrical, and deeply satisfying.

My Thoughts:  Joy for Beginners is a book about second chances.  Each woman is looking forward to a fresh start, a chance to correct past mistakes and move forward.  The chapters can be viewed as short stories, as each woman's story is told in alternating chapters.  The reader gets an in depth look into the womens' lives.  Kate accurately chooses a challenge that will push them outside their comfort zone and moves them toward the life they've imagined.

Narration:  This was my first audio book narrated by Campbell.  At times I thought the characters' voices started to sound the same and it was hard to distinguish between them.  As a result, I felt lost at times and had to think back to the beginning of the chapter to remind myself who was speaking.

Final words:  I thought I would love Joy for Beginners as much as I did the author's debut novel, The School of Essential Ingredients.  Sadly this was not the case.  I did like it, however I think this one was a book I should have read and not listened to.  The confusion with the voices prevented me from feeling connected to the characters.

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Audiobook Details:

Release Date:  June 9, 2011

Publisher: Penguin Audiobooks

Length:  7 hours, 55 minutes

Genre: Women's Fiction

Source: Audiobook borrowed from library

The Diva Cooks a Goose - Krista Davis

The Diva Cooks a Goose by Krista Davis
A Domestic Diva Mystery, Book 4

It's About: It's Christmas and Sophie Winston is spending the holiday with her family. When she arrives at her brother George's house, she learns a thief has stolen all their presents from under the tree. As it turns out, the neighbors' presents were also stolen. Sophie finds herself involved in another case as she tries to track down the thief and salvage Christmas.

Thoughts: The Domestic Diva is one of my favorite cozy series. Like previous novels, the author introduces the readers to many characters, but thankfully a list of characters is noted at the beginning of the book in case one needs a reminder. They mystery moves quickly and the author throws in several twists to hide the killer's identity until the end of the novel. I'm looking forward to reading the fifth book in the series, The Diva Haunts the House.

Recommended to readers if:

• you live in, near or have visited Old Town Alexandria, VA
• you love a mystery with lots of characters
• you enjoy an amateur sleuth who is logical and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty when investigating a case

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Book Details:
ISBN: 9780425238257
Release Date:  December 10, 2010
Pages:  304
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Source:  ebook downloaded from my library's website

Blog Tour: Dancing on Broken Glass by Ka Hancock

Lucy Houston and Mickey Chandler probably shouldn’t have fallen in love, let alone gotten married. They’re both plagued with faulty genes—he has bipolar disorder; she, a ravaging family history of breast cancer. But when their paths cross on the night of Lucy’s twenty-first birthday, sparks fly, and there’s no denying their chemistry.

Cautious every step of the way, they are determined to make their relationship work—and they put their commitment in writing. Mickey will take his medication. Lucy won’t blame him for what is beyond his control. He promises honesty. She promises patience. Like any marriage, there are good days and bad days—and some very bad days. In dealing with their unique challenges, they make the heartbreaking decision not to have children. But when Lucy shows up for a routine physical just shy of their eleventh anniversary, she gets an impossible surprise that changes everything. Everything. Suddenly, all their rules are thrown out the window, and the two of them must redefine what love really is. (From the back cover)


From the first sentence, I knew Dancing on Broken Glass would be an emotional read.  Lucy and Mickey were destined to be together although on paper the odds were against them.  Hancock created two flawed, but endearing characters that readers cannot help but to welcome into their lives.

I felt as though Lucy and Mickey were two of my closest friends.  Every time I closed the book, my mind would wander and think about them.  I could not wait to find stolen moments throughout the day to pick up where I left off.  I noticed I read faster when Mickey and Lucy were at their high points.  As the book progressed, I began to slowly turn the pages out of fear and dread about what was waiting around the corner. 

To experience a love as deep and devoted as both Lucy and Mickey felt for one another is not to be taken lightly.  Hancock beautifully wrote about the messiness of marriage.  The determination to stay committed to not only your spouse, but to yourself.  When it was so easy for both Lucy and Mickey to give up and walk away, Hancock demonstrated their strength to keep fighting and rewriting the script of their marriage.

Dancing on Broken Glass is a book that will make you laugh, cry and remain hopeful through the dark seasons of life.  Hancock is a talented author with a gift of capturing the raw and real emotions of relationships.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.  Highly recommended.

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Book Details:
ISBN: 9781451637373
Pub. Date: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages:416
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Print copy provided by the publisher

Jackie Collins: Mini-Reviews

Title: Poor Little Bitch Girl
Author: Jackie Collins
ISBN: 978-0312567453
Pages: 480

Mini-Review: Poor Little Bitch Girl centers around Bobby Stanislopoulos, Lucky Santangelo’s twenty-something son. He’s the co-owner of Mood, a Manhattan club. Bobby and M.J., his business partner and high school friend, decide to expand Mood and seek to open clubs in Miami and Vegas.

Bobby also went to school with Annabelle. Originally from LA, she now lives in New York City with her boyfriend Frankie. The pair run a high-price dating service. Money is rolling in and Annabelle is starting to make a name for herself. When her mother is found murdered, her father is arrested. Annabelle returns to L.A. to grieve and seeks answers to her mother’s death.

Denver is the attorney assigned to case. She also has a history with Bobby and Annabelle. Although she doubts either will remember her. As Denver throws herself into the case, a case which could advance her career, her friend, Carolyn has secrets of her own. Carolyn has been dating a married Senator and learns she is pregnant. Anticipating he will finally leave his wife, Carolyn tells him about their baby, but he is less than thrilled.

Poor Little Bitch Girl is Collins at her best. The story moves quickly and soon the characters are reunited. What comes next is sure to keep the reader turning pages.

Title: Goddess of Vengeance
Author: Jackie Collins
ISBN: 9780312567460
Pages: 528

Mini-Review: I first began reading about Gino and Lucky Santangelo in high school. My summer vacations were spent devouring Collins’s books. Goddess of Vengeance is just as good as the first books in the Lucky series.

In Goddess of Vengeance, we find Lucky and Lennie still married and crazy about each other. Lucky hasn’t slowed down and is still the successful business woman. She’s trying to find a balance between work and family as her daughter’s Max’s 18th birthday is fast approaching. Max has dropped several hints that she wants to move to New York City, however Lucky has her reservations. Lucky was wild and ambitious at Max’s age, however she wants a different, settled life for her daughter. Max is determined to get from underneath her mother’s watchful eye.

Armand is a successful business man and is not use to the word “no”. He views women as inferior, as they should be seen and not heard. He has his eyes set on The Keys and will do everything it takes to own it. When his offer is turned down, he’s infuriated. He arranges a meeting with the owner and is dumbfounded to learn it’s Lucky. Lucky is not threatened by Armand and refuses to meet his demands. Armand has decided to take matters into his own hands, as Lucky hasn’t given him a choice.

I suggest reading Poor Little Bitch Girl prior to Goddess of Vengeance. Characters from the former book appear in the latter. Collins continues their storyline and makes minimum reference to their back story. Goddess of Vengeance is the perfect companion for a day at the beach. I hope Collins continues to write more in the Lucky series.

Review: Point, Click, Love by Molly Shapiro

Katie is a divorced mother of two. She no longer believes in true love. It’s more like “true lust”. She has been fine with not having a man in her life for the last two years. Until now. She desperately craves a casual, sexual relationship and decides to sign up with an online dating service.
Claudia is married to Steve. Steve has been out of work for quite some time. Instead of scouring the newspaper job section, he sits on the couch channel surfing and updating his Facebook status. Claudia has tried to be patient with him, but money is tight and she’s tired of being the only employed spouse. She doesn’t understand Steve’s fascination with Facebook and what he could possibly be posting all day.

Maxine is married to Jake. From the outside looking in, they appear to have the perfect marriage. Only Maxine knows the truth: their marriage is in trouble. And has been for quite some time. When she discovers her husband has been texting a gorgeous younger doctor, she fears her marriage may be over.

Annie was born and raised in New York City. She relocated to Kansas City for her career. If truth be told, she also wanted a fresh start after the breakup with long-term boyfriend. Thinking their relationship would end in marriage, Annie was devastated when he announced he did not want to marry her. Now it’s years later and Annie’s biological clock is about to explode. Perhaps marriage isn’t in her future, but being a mom is. Who needs a husband when she can visit the local sperm bank?

Point, Click, Love is a tale about four friends facing the issues of dating and marriage today. From online dating, Facebook hookups, to inappropriate texts, Shapiro explores how each can destruct a relationship. From the beginning, I was entertained with this novel. I definitely could relate to Claudia’s confusion about what her husband was posting on Facebook. His need to create a world where everything is light and carefree was understandable to a point. I mean who really wants to post how miserable your life really is? As I continued to read, his behavior began to irritate me.

I’ve been looking forward to reading Point, Click, Love for quite some time. I’m disappointed I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Halfway through the novel, I began to disconnect from the characters. There are some scenes that may come across as humorous, but for me the characters appeared desperate. I cringed at some of the choices they made. What I thought would be a light, fun read turned into a serious look into the do’s and don’ts of relationships. Now that I write that, I don’t think it is a bad thing.

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Book Details:
ISBN: 9780345527639 ◆ 272pgs ◆ Dec 20, 2011 ◆ Ballantine Books
ebook provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Review: Then Came You

Title:  Then Came You
Author:  Jennifer Weiner
ISBN:  9781451617726
Pages:  352
Publisher:  Atria
Release Date:  July 12, 2011
Genre:  Women's Fiction
Source:  My bookshelves

When Jules is first approached about donating her eggs, she’s dubious. Despite being a senior at Princeton with a bright future ahead of her, Jules has harbored a family secret. Her father, once an upstanding and respected teacher, was arrested for drunk driving. Since his arrest, he continues to battle his alcohol addiction. As a result, he lost his marriage and his children. Jules begins to reconsider the offer to donate her eggs. With the money she receives, she’ll be able to pay for the help her father so desperately needs.

India is married to Bettina’s father Marcus. Bettina is highly protective of her father and thinks India married him for his wealth. Bettina thinks everything about India is fake, including her name. She hires a private investigator to dig into India’s past. What she finds is quite startling.

Annie is a young mother of two boys. She’s happily married to Frank, although financial problems weigh them down. To help out, she decides to become a surrogate. The money will go towards their debt and monthly bills. Annie has her family’s best interest in mind, however Frank feels threatened by the money and the new relationship she’s forming with India.

Told in alternating chapters, the reader is able to delve into the lives of these four women. Normally I prefer novels that are written this way, especially if there are multiple narrators. For some reason, it didn’t work for me with Then Came You. And here’s why: despite being in different life stages, the women’s voices sounded the same to me. It was hard to differentiate between the characters. Several times, I had to return to the first page of the chapter to remember which character was speaking. Despite the introspective look into each woman, I never felt connected to the characters. When India’s secret is finally revealed, it wasn’t as shocking as I thought it could be.

The path that eventually leads the women to each other is bumpy. The choices each have made along the way have come with consequences. In the end, the book wrapped up a bit to neatly for me.

Review: Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay

Due or Die by Jenn McKinlay
Library Lover's Mystery Series, Book 2

It's election time for the Friends of the Library.  The current president, Bill Sint is angry with Carrie Rushton for running against him.  When Carrie wins the election, not all members are thrilled.

Now that she's President-Elect, Carrie is busier than ever.  Unfortunately her husband Markus is of no help.  When Markus is found murdered inside their home, Carrie becomes the police's number one suspect.

Due or Die is the second installment in the new Library Lover's Mystery series.  Although I am one to read a series in order, I did not find it necessary to read the first book, Books Can Be Deceiving.  The author briefly wrote about events from that book, however she did not reveal spoilers and the reader is able to follow the current storyline.

Lindsey Norris once again takes center stage in the murder investigation.  She knows Carrie would not murder her husband and is persistent to solve the crime.  She enlists the help of Sully, Nancy, Beth and the other Crafternoon Club members.  The clock is ticking as Carrie's arrest is inevitable.

The romance between Lindsey and Sully has blossomed.  There's no denying these two have feelings for each other and both are finally ready to take the next step.  Like the previous book, the romance did not overshadow the mystery.  I like both Sully and Lindsey and feel the pace of their relationship is real.

I've come to enjoy the Library Lover's Mystery series and look forward to the third book, Book, Line, and Sinker (there is a preview provided in Due or Die).  Cozy fans will not want to miss this series.

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Book Details:
Pub. Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780425246689
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: Print copy provided by publisher

When Celebrities Pen a Children's Book

Last year I read three children's books written by celebrities: Tori Spelling, Jamie Lee Curtis and Steve Martin.  I enjoyed all three and wanted to read more.

Chocolate Me!  by Taye Diggs
Illustrated by Shane W. Evans
Pages:  32
2011

A little boy is teased by three other boys in his neighborhood.  Timmy, Johnny and Mark question why is his skin darker than theirs?  Why is his hair not straight? The little boy begins to feel bad about himself because he is different.  He goes home and tells his mother what happened.  She explains being different is not bad.  In fact it's good.  She tells him how she sees him and how special he is.  She brings him a mirror and tells him to always love what he sees.  He believes his mother and realizes his friends may not know everything.

Girls Hold Up This World  by Jada Pinkett Smith
Photographs by Donyell Kennedy-McCullough
Pages: 29
2004

Pinkett Smith pens a poem dedicated to the beauty and strength of women and young girls.  Photographs of females of all ages, race and ethnic backgrounds are included.  Pinkett Smith is also featured with her daughter.  The book speaks to why it's special to be girl and the bond of sisterhood we share with each other  A girl of any age will enjoy reading this book.




Every Saturday, Julie at Booking Mama, hosts Kid Konnection - a weekly feature that highlights anything related to children's books (picture, middle-school and young adult). Have a post you would like to share? It's easy, simply visit Booking Mama to add your link.