ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I finished reading it in one sitting. It flowed easily and was exciting in all the right places. I think the only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because I hate it when the girls in YA books do that thing where they are so mad at the guy the let him believe they don't care or that they've done something in order to make the guy mad or feel badly. I get that it's an integral part of the angst of the characters and feeling the despair of the situation. It's just something that bugs me. Maybe I'm just too old and jaded.

Chase's story was so well rounded. His past informing how he acts in the present and his responses to stressful and horrifying situations. His relationship with Ember, being the only thing he has in his life and the fear that he may lose that at any moment.

The fear of being discovered is palpable and the writing moves along so smoothly to keep you wanting to know what will happen next.

I also loved Embers transition from conformity and going with the flow in order to just survive to heroine and doing what she needed to do to make amends, protect the people she loved as well as to keep what happend to her and her mother from happening to anyone else.

Great character arcs and transitions.


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DARKER STILL by Leanne Renee Hieber

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

With an homage to Dorian Gray, the author has drawn a mystical element to the story with the romance and pinnings of a young girl of the time. I liked Natalie and how she persevered through her misfortune. I can only say that, for me, the story just missed something that could have potentially made it special. I wasn't afraid enough for Natalie or Jonathan, Mrs. Northe was too mild, yet Maggie was sufficiently snarky and snobby enough. There wasn't enough anticipation and I knew where every step would lead.

I have to say that I don't like giving less than favorable reviews, but in this case I had to say something. It just wasn't great.

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THE KATERINA TRILOGY, Vol 1: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

The Katerina Trilogy, Vol. I: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It had its moments. I liked the action, the pull to the Grand Duke as well as Katerina's fear that someone would find out her secret. The Montenegrins were sufficiently evil and cunning, but I did think for Katerina wanting to be a doctor, she could have been a bit smarter in some of her choices. She is a teenager in a certain time with restrictions on her conduct. I just thought that since she was so willing to buck the system by wanting a career, she would have done things a little smarter.

All in all, it was a quick and entertaining read.

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THE WARRIOR HEIR by Cinda Williams Chima

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a lot of fun to read. It felt like a mix of Harry Potter meets Percy Jackson. I found myself tearing up a bit when Jack has to make a decision about what he will do. I was very upset at Leander in forcing the issue.

Very well written. The story moved quickly with little time for lulls. There was lots of action, which I like at the same time telling the story of teenage travails, the emotional ups and downs with hormones flying everywhere.

I understood who Ellen may be early on in the story, but was still shocked when her place in the story was revealed.

The only reason I'm not giving the book five stars is because no matter what I did, I found it hard to figure out which character was Fitch and which was Will. Meaning that they seemed interchangeable to me and weren't distintive enough. I liked the, but wasn't sure who was the gentle jock and who was the smart goofy nerd.

Now I will have to read the rest of the books :-)

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BzzAgent Time!

I just received the coupons to start the trying the Private Selection products. Since I'm spending Thanksgiving on my own this year, I think its the prefect time to try out some great frozen goodies.

I also got an oven mit. While this may not be excited to many, I am thoroughly thrilled as I've needed a new one with the heat protection lining and had been dreading shopping for it. Now I've got one that's cool look...

END MALARIA via The Domino Project (BzzAgent Campaign)

Received this book through my BzzAgent campaign for The Domino Project and it's very inspirational. Makes you want to step outside of yourself and give to others.



Check it out on Amazon.com. $20 from the sale of every copy in any format goes to Malaria No More, an international advocacy organization working to end malaria deaths in 2015.

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Check out this site for new and fun products at great discounts. I learned about it from my BzzAgent campaign.

THE RUBY KISS by Helen Scott Taylor

The Ruby Kiss by Helen Scott Taylor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting! I haven't read a romance novel in a while and that's exactly what this book is, with a major fantasy element to it. I liked it for what it was, a quick, guilty pleasure read. I read it in about 5 hour. The story starts a little quickly, answering some questions a before they can even be asked. I like when the the discovery is a little more subtle. The writing was descriptive and clear, but lacked any energy. Even the fights didn't cause feelings of anticipation or anxiety. The intimate moments were clear and palpable, but may have been too many for such a small book. I also felt like there were several ending to the book. Every time there was an obstacle, it seemed easily conquered then there was another, conveniently put into place. A little too formulaic.

I know it sounds like I didn't like it, but that not the case. Basically if you read a lot of thriller, fantasy, ya but still enjoy a romance novel, then this is a good palate cleanser. You will read it quickly and enjoy and be ready for the next masterpiece to read.

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DEARLY DEPARTED by Lia Habel

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The story was okay. Each chapter was from a different character's point of view, but with several of the main characters being in that person's chapter, it was hard to know who was speaking for the chapter. Sound confusing? So was the story in a lot of ways. There's still no clear explanation for Wolfe's actions, or what he really thought he would accomplish. There seems to be no experimentation to find out where the virus comes from, who the Punks really are, why they and the New Victorians hate each other so much, why Paula who seems to be so prim and proper defies her parents at every turn to jump into the fray, and why her brother would run after her. Lets just say there's a lot of confusion in the story. I, unfortunately, wouldn't look forward to reading a sequel. The only reason I didn't give it one star is because I actually finished it. I reserve that for books I can't even get through, which is pretty hard for me not to do. I always feel that a book may redeem itself somewhere. This had some great fighting. I liked the action and that's the only reason for the 2 stars. Sorry.

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THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER by Melanie Dickerson

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying I would have given it three stars out of 5 if it weren't for the fact that it got kinda corny at the end. I hate saying that because that is where it got most overly religious, which I don't mind, but it was a bit much.

This book has remnants of Beauty and the Beast as well as Cinderella with a religious overtone.

Ranulf Le Wyse comes to Glynval to start anew. His is the only one left in his family after they had died in the pestilence. The same thing had happened to Annabel's father, who had been a wealthy merchant. Her mother and two bothers were selfish as the sisters and step-mother in Cinderella, using her to make their lives easier. Annabel chooses work as a servant for Lord le Wyse for three years in order to pay off her families debt instead of marrying the lecherous Bailiff Tom, who was her father old friend and age.

Annabel being so sweet and of good heart softens the hard Ranulf and that part of the story is nice. I even like the fact that she reads the bible to him each night bringing them closer. The ending and how easily it was all tied up is my issue.

If you are into religious romance, this is the book for you.

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THE ABBEY by Chris Culver

The Abbey by Chris Culver

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There was something about this book I liked. I'm not sure if it was the Midwest sensibility because I'm from the that part of the country, but I like the main character of Ash a lot. He had faults as well as a intense since of what was right and wrong.

One of the things I didn't like that the writer did was make everyone so negative to Ash. From his law professor to the Lieutenant investigating his niece's death. Everyone seemed out to get him and not willing to give the guy a break for what would or should be a very difficult time in someone's life. Losing a very young family member in a violent way. But, it added to the momentum of the story. He was a long time employee of the police department, they should have spent more time on the case and taken his misgivings into consideration

I knew very early who was the department snitch. I also felt like the story didn't really explain why that person was working with Karen Rae. Also, the explanation for Karen becoming a drug dealer was a little far fetched. But I guess that is true for many people who come up with their reasons for doing illegal things.

I felt like Ash was the best character of the entire book, everyone else was lacking in dimension as well as depth. The fact that he drove the story is what made it work. Solid characterization.


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THE LAST GOOD MAN by A.J. Kazinski

The Last Good Man by A.J. Kazinski

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book started off really slowly. I almost gave up, but wanted to read because books coming from this part of the world are getting a lot of attention. I felt lost within the first couple of chapters jumping from person and subject. I couldn't get a clearly defined hold on who where the main characters of the book until reading quite far into the story.

But, once I got into the story of Niels and Hannah, the story moved along quickly. I have to say that I realized Niels place in the story as soon as I understood what he was investigating. That wasn't much of a reveal. At also read very much like a Dan Brown novel. A little too much for me. The one thing I can say is that the ending was much more satisfying than any Dan Brown novel I've read.

The science and mystery intermingle well. I wanted more to happen between Niels and Hannah, but can say that the teasing of their relationship worked well.

I would recommend this to read for anyone who likes the Dan Brown style.

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THE STRANGER YOU SEEK by Amanda Kyle Williams

The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really liked the characters of Keye and Rauser. They played off each other well. I really wanted them to be together. I thought there could have been a little more intensity in how they really felt about each other earlier on. You felt a little bit of it when Keye becomes jealous of Jo, but it's not quite there. I also loved the interpersonal relationships between Keye and her family. The idea of a Chinese girl and African-American boy being raised by very southern white Baptists and how they interact was met with hysterical results. I really liked that part of the book. I found myself laughing until I cried.

I have to say that although the story kept me guessing, I figured out the culprits pretty early, yet I didn't understand why until it was spelled out. There were a few twists and turns that kept me second guessing my original instincts. But it turns out I was right all along.

I read a NetGalley arc, therefore I hope there are some changes that are made. There were descriptions of things, like Keye's apartment that happen so late in the story after she's been inside her place several times. Explanations for things that have happened earlier in the story, that came across a little disjointed to me, but for the most part, I liked the book and thought I would like to read about these characters again.


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THE CATER STREET HANGMAN by Anne Perry

The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I'm so sad to say that I didn't like this book. There seemed to be a whisper of something that kept me reading, because normally I would have stopped before I got halfway through, but I kept reading hoping it would redeem itself in some way. It never happened.

I found the writing to be stilted. The story being told from different perspectives on a continuous bases was a little scattered. Different perspectives would just pop in as the story went along. I thought that the varying relations of the Ellison's were superficial. Sarah's hard line with Dominic with regard to Charlotte. Everyone was so sure that Lord Ashworth would never propose to Emily. Even he boosted of her potential as a mistress, but then he proposes after Sarah dies. Charlotte is so offended by Inspector Pitt's seeming attention, then all of a sudden she's not. It just reeks of being rushed and not thought out. There was never a moment when felt deeply for anyone whether professing their love or feeling the sorrow of Sarah's passing.

I knew early on that the killer was Martha. It was so obvious. Her mood swings, seemingly ill one moment and fine the next. Her husbands rhetoric about sin and evil was so overt. That was probably the only thing in the book that seemed heightened in emotion that it stood out.

I hate books that end like this. This is the second Open Road book that I've read that ends without any follow through. Like they think it's artistic to end that way. I hate it unless the book is completely well written and the ending leaves me wanting more. This certainly didn't I don't like writing bad reviews, but in this case I can't help it. I wouldn't want anyone to read the other reviews and think this is a good book. I love this period, I was hoping it would potentially be like a Sherlock Holmes type project with a wife and husband.

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NO ONE TO TRUST by Julie Moffett

No One to Trust by Julie Moffett

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At first I thought it was a little boring and that I was going to write a review that it was a sweet, lighthearted piece that I could give or take. Good summer reading, total chick lit, which I like just to clean my pallet a bit when I'm reading lots of fantasy, thriller or YA novels. But it got much better by the last third of the book. It was funny and charming. I found myself laughing so hard in a couple of places I was crying and had to reread in order to get through it properly.

Lexi Charmichael is the girl most of us are. A little awkward and not quite sure of what she's doing, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. What I like about her is that even though she doesn't know the answers, she willing the ask the questions and she will go out on a limb and take a chance to learn what she doesn't know.

That doesn't mean she's not smart, she's brilliant in fact. Almost too smart where she over analyzes things. I know I do that all the time. But being smart doesn't mean you always know what to do in every situation and some of the situations Lexi finds herself in are downright hysterical. I know I will never be able to get a bikini wax again without thinking about Lexi.

I hope everyone who reads this book will enjoy it as much as I did. It's quick read, so if you are on vacation or just want to take some time to yourself to be quiet, I recommend this book.


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CALL ME PRINCESS by Sara Blaedel

Call Me Princess: A Novel by Sara Blaedel

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sara Blaedel's writing is smooth. Carrying the reading into the lives and world of her characters. I really like Louise, who is so smart about her cases but not so smart about what's happening in her own personal life. Louise is complicated and not perfects. She thinks she's pregnant, so she goes out drinking and smoking. I found that unsettling. The same with can be said for her friend Camilla. How could someone who's written articles about being safe in the online dating world, invite an unknown person to come to her home for a date?

I liked the psychopathy the perpetrator of the crimes. The fact that he really didn't understand that he was doing something wrong. The fact that it was in his head, made it so. That everyone should expect or understand what he was thinking and where he was coming from. Very dark.

There were a couple of things I didn't like about the book, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. the first was that Louise's doctor told her she couldn't be pregnant because she was on the pill and didn't even attempt to give her a pregnancy test. the second is how the book ended. No book should just stop like that. There was a slight resolution, but not everyone got their resolution. What happened with her relationship, is she pregnant, how dose the arrest affect her relationship with Camilla? You don't have to completely wrap things up. Some mystery is good, but it just ended and that didn't feel right.


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THE BLACK STILETTO by Raymond Benson

The Black Stiletto by Raymond Benson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really liked the concept. I thought that reading from Judy's Diary was an interesting way to go about telling a story going from third person to first person. I liked her journey, and the writing about the period in time was vivid, transporting you to the time when women wore dresses, were expected to get married and have kids, and everyone smoked. Even the music was a great character for the plot. Telling about the changing of the guard from crooners to rock-n-roll.

There never was a real explanation for Judy's hightened senses and abilities, which I think I would have liked to have known. Also the fact that her mother and stepfather were drunks, and not very nice ones, I would have thought that Judy would have avoided that trap. Although, she didn't seem to be a mean one or hurt her son in any way, I just thought it was interesting that she would would start drinking so early in her life and it would be something that her son would have remembered her doing often.

The story flowed well until it go to the end. It was almost like the writer didn't know how to end it and so he just had Roberto find her quickly. I would have liked to have know who Martin's father was, how Judy got to Chicago, as well as if Gina, Martin's Daughter, did inherit Judy's abilities.

Judy's abilities were explained well for the most part. As I don't know karate, I had a little trouble know what she did especially when the author was explaining how she got the upper hand on the guy from the bar in Texas who had her in a bear hug from the back. But, I didn't mind it. I love action movies, comics and anime. This just reminded me of some of those. I almost feel like this would have been great as a comic.

Although I liked the story and if flowed well in the beginning, keeping my attention, I still think it could have been better.


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THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES by Jussi Adler-Olsen

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really great book. Once you get used to the pacing, you fall right in. I'm used to books like this not keeping my attention generally, but in this case I couldn't read fast enough and I'm a fast reader.

The anxiety of what was happening to Merete was palpable. There's always a feeling that Uffe is more able than appears, but you feel for the tragedy they both went through.

Carl was always on the verge of finding something out and my heart raced each time he got the smallest bit of a clue. His life outside work was interesting as well. He's a character. someone you want to like, but understand why he doesn't care much anymore. His wife has left him with his teenaged step-son, though she doesn't want a divorce. I know know if it's a cultural thing or not, but Carl doesn't seem to want to force the issue, although she has a string of lovers and he pays her bills. He has friends, but not many on the police force. He shows them up without even trying, but they all think they are smarter than he is.

Carl's assistant Assad is a great asset, although the wasn't intended to be. He has some secrets that we never completely know in this book and I'm very interested to see where that goes.

All I can say is that I really loved this book. Great read. Can't wait for it to be a movie.


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BEA 2011

SHADOW OF THE SUN by Laura Kreitzer

Shadow of the Sun by Laura Kreitzer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There was something about this book I really liked. It was confusing at times and took a while to get going. But once it did it was a ride. I am definitely interested to see where the story goes.


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SHADES OF GREY by J.C. Phelps

Shades of Grey by J.C. Phelps

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There were several sections I loved so much I went back and read them again after I was finished with the book. I thought it was funny that Alex wants to be treated like one of the guys, but acts just like a girl when she's upset of feels slighted in any way.

I loved it when she beat up the guys who drugged her and took her to the warehouse. The book is so much fun.


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COLOR ME GREY by J.C. Phelps

Color Me Grey by J.C. Phelps

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was so much fun. It reminded me of the USA Network television series, COVERT AFFAIRS, but better. I would much prefer to see this on television than that show. I love how Alex is tough, but smart enough to learn and know when she doesn't know something.

I don't want to give away any of the story, but I have to say the part that is slow and didn't interest me, was the set up to saving her father. I just found myself skipping paragraph's trying to get to the good stuff. But for the most part I loved it, even when se was alone in the forest.

I am a true believer in women being able to do anything they put their minds to and I love that Alex never gives up. It's definitely my motto.

I can't wait to read the sequels.


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MAD SKILLS by Walter Greatshell

Mad Skills by Walter Greatshell

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Started out interesting and reminded me a bit of the film that will be coming out called HANNAH. But became a bit slow and dragging in the middle. I found myself skipping whole paragraphs in the effort to move the story forward quicker.

Then the story got very convoluted by the end. I kind of got what the author was trying to do, but it was poorly executed a bit crazy in its ultimate outcome.

Could have been good, but fell short.



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PENITENCE by Jennifer Laurence

Penitence by Jennifer Laurens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I really like this character. I find myself anticipating what will happen next and eagerly reading each page. The second book was a little less exciting than the first book. It felt like a build up to what would ultimately happen.

I look forward to being able to read the next chapter in the series. Hopefully I will have more time to read for pleasure and not just for business.


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HEAVENLY by Jennifer Laurens

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Good book. Takes a minute to get going, but once the story starts, you don't want to put it down. You want to know how Zoe will grow and what will happen with her family and her angel.

There are some minor problems. Zoe seems to not understand what Matthias is a little too long. But I like how true the story is about teens falling into bad ways due to peer pressure.

Zoe has a lot of responsibilities for a teen and you can understand her reasons for letting lose and not wanting to feel anything. I found myself angry with her parents for letting her be a teenage adult, basically a third parent in the household and expecting her to be that.

I can understand that the stress of a child with challenges can be overwhelming, but it shouldn't be at the expense of your other children.

I've said before, because of my profession, I read things with the idea of them being a film or television show in mind. This is neither, but a good read.

Like I said, I liked the book. Looking forward to reading the sequel.



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PIRIAH by Bob Fingerman

Pariah by Bob Fingerman

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Wasn't really what I thought it would be. Not for me.



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TIGER'S CURSE (Tiger Saga#1) by Colleen Houck

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really liked the idea of this story. Part YA female driven Indiana Jones, part romance, fantasy and cultural mythology. I loved the cultural references and with India and specifically Mumbai becoming more common in our daily lexicon, I like how timely this story is.

I only have a couple of problems with the story. I don't like how the circus people disappear so quickly from the story. I felt like Kelsey was just beginning like what she was doing when Mr. Kadam comes to take Dhiren away. I'm sure this was suppose to add to the suspense of the story, but I think that if Ren was able to turn earlier, she met him before knowing that he and the Tiger were one in the same, then I think would have added a little to the intrigue. Also, when Ren first turns into a man in front of Kelsey, she doesn't seem to flinch. I don't understand how it could be so easy to believe.

I love the adventure they go on to solve the mystery of his curse and the potential cure and how their relationship evolves. I have to say that I'm a little tired of women, young and old in books, being the long suffering spouse or girlfriend who feels it's important to give up what they want for fear of being hurt of thinking of the man above all. I think that giving up the one you love to their best interest is a crock. But, I digress and sound like I don't like the story. I do.

Although, there's lots of description that could be skipped, I love Colleen's descriptions of the worlds they encounter and the myths that come to life.



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