THE INVASION OF HEAVEN by Michael b. Koep is a wholly original read. Because of this, it is hard to classify. Loche Newirth, a psychologist, is being hunted for his life after he sees a mysterious painting that opens a window onto the after life. There is a special, ancient order of men that want to control these art afterlife "windows" and they are willing and able to pursue Loche and those he cares about across the world, time and more.
This book is tightly wound and saturated with mystery, myth, betrayals of love and friendship, killings, madness and time travel. You will have to pay attention and maybe even take notes to keep track of what's what!
Along the race for his life Loche loses a client to what he believes is suicide, but he is blamed for negligence, he discovers his unknown past and unearths the truth that ancients are walking amongst us.
Go on the journey with this creative author! Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Michael B. Koep for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
A LADY IN THE SMOKE by Karen Goddard
A LADY IN THE SMOKE by Karen Odden is a solid, character driven Victorian murder mystery. I understand that this is Karen Odden's debut novel.
I like the start of the novel with instant drama with Lady Elizabeth Fraser and her mother's train careening off the tracks and promptly bursting into flames. Lady Fraser has spunk so she is injured yet able to pull her unconscious mother to safety. A brilliant young railway surgeon, Paul Wilcox, comes to the scene and saves her mother's life. She feels an immediate connection to the young surgeon, but of course in those days, one could never marry out of class.
The instantaneous romance was not very plausible, but the writing about the era was interesting.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I like the start of the novel with instant drama with Lady Elizabeth Fraser and her mother's train careening off the tracks and promptly bursting into flames. Lady Fraser has spunk so she is injured yet able to pull her unconscious mother to safety. A brilliant young railway surgeon, Paul Wilcox, comes to the scene and saves her mother's life. She feels an immediate connection to the young surgeon, but of course in those days, one could never marry out of class.
The instantaneous romance was not very plausible, but the writing about the era was interesting.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly
LILAC GIRLS by Martha Hall Kelly is without question one of the most moving and well written books I have had the privilege of reading on this subject matter. LILAC GIRLS has an innocuous enough title. I thought it was a book about women during WWII and of course, lilacs are so fragrant so it must be fairly pleasant. Great, interesting. I was wholly unprepared to be plunged into the horrors of the Holocaust and one of the most disturbing aspects of the Holocaust in my opinion - the medical experiments. There is a reason for lilacs I will get to later in the review.
The beauty of this book is in its truth. It is based upon real people. I think if I would have known this at the beginning of my read, I may not have been able to complete it. The book is very realistic and graphic. You truly feel the anguish of these women. Having said that, I believe it is our duty to stay fresh and current on this subject matter and never forget the atrocities that occurred during that time as there is always more to learn and there is always something that we forget.
The story was easy to follow as it was told about three different women and would alternate between their different storylines and points of view each chapter. Most of the story is centered around Ravensbruck, the all female concentration camp where many medical experiments were performed.
Kasia is a determind young Polish woman. She was put in the camp because she was caught working with underground resistance in Poland, along with her mother and sister. She was imprisoned at Ravensbruck and she was one of almost 50 women who were operated on. It is hard to write to much about her and her story without giving too much away. You must learn of Kasia on your own.
At the beginning of the book, Caroline, is a New York socialite working with the French Consulate in New York. She is living on an allowance from a small inheritance so she is able to do her charitable work for free. She is well known among the society people so she is a successful fund raiser. She also puts together much needed boxes of clothes and other care items for the orphaned children in France.
As the story progressed, Caroline became directly involved with the rabbits. She contributed by raising funds to help rehabilitate their withered limbs and increasing public awareness about the plight of the formerly imprisoned Polish women who survived. Caroline was able to get wealthy donors to bring a number of the women to the United States for costly operations to repair their limbs, effectively restoring physical balance. The deep emotional scars were harder to remove.
Herta Oberheuser is the devil of the trio. She is a young German doctor and the sole female doctor at Ravensbruck. Herta is a full believer in the Final Solution. She volunteers to be one of the doctors performing the monstrous experiments on the healthy prisoners. Many were selected because they were such healthy specimens, then the "doctors" would introduce bacteria and other foreign objects into their legs and bodies to mimic battle wounds to theoretically better learn how to handle war injuries.
It is no surprise that the prisoners that were operated upon suffered unimaginable pain and did not even know what was happening to them. In addition, they were given no medication for pain or treatment. They were called rabbits because after the surgeries they hopped around camp like rabbits on their one good leg. Another reason they earned this nickname was because they were the Reich's experimental rabbits.
The women who survived the experiments, the rabbits, were so strong and amazing. A better name for them are the Lilac Girls because a lilac will only bloom after a freeze. These women survived the heinous acts at Ravensbruck but also raised public awareness about this matter. They also helped bring justice to those that harmed them but speaking out against the doctors that perpetrated these war crimes so that they were charged with crimes against humanity.
The book is heart wrenching and I encourage you to read it.
Many thanks to Martha Hall Kelly, Net Gally and the publisher for this ARC in exchnage for an honest and unbiased review.
The beauty of this book is in its truth. It is based upon real people. I think if I would have known this at the beginning of my read, I may not have been able to complete it. The book is very realistic and graphic. You truly feel the anguish of these women. Having said that, I believe it is our duty to stay fresh and current on this subject matter and never forget the atrocities that occurred during that time as there is always more to learn and there is always something that we forget.
The story was easy to follow as it was told about three different women and would alternate between their different storylines and points of view each chapter. Most of the story is centered around Ravensbruck, the all female concentration camp where many medical experiments were performed.
Kasia is a determind young Polish woman. She was put in the camp because she was caught working with underground resistance in Poland, along with her mother and sister. She was imprisoned at Ravensbruck and she was one of almost 50 women who were operated on. It is hard to write to much about her and her story without giving too much away. You must learn of Kasia on your own.
At the beginning of the book, Caroline, is a New York socialite working with the French Consulate in New York. She is living on an allowance from a small inheritance so she is able to do her charitable work for free. She is well known among the society people so she is a successful fund raiser. She also puts together much needed boxes of clothes and other care items for the orphaned children in France.
As the story progressed, Caroline became directly involved with the rabbits. She contributed by raising funds to help rehabilitate their withered limbs and increasing public awareness about the plight of the formerly imprisoned Polish women who survived. Caroline was able to get wealthy donors to bring a number of the women to the United States for costly operations to repair their limbs, effectively restoring physical balance. The deep emotional scars were harder to remove.
Herta Oberheuser is the devil of the trio. She is a young German doctor and the sole female doctor at Ravensbruck. Herta is a full believer in the Final Solution. She volunteers to be one of the doctors performing the monstrous experiments on the healthy prisoners. Many were selected because they were such healthy specimens, then the "doctors" would introduce bacteria and other foreign objects into their legs and bodies to mimic battle wounds to theoretically better learn how to handle war injuries.
It is no surprise that the prisoners that were operated upon suffered unimaginable pain and did not even know what was happening to them. In addition, they were given no medication for pain or treatment. They were called rabbits because after the surgeries they hopped around camp like rabbits on their one good leg. Another reason they earned this nickname was because they were the Reich's experimental rabbits.
The women who survived the experiments, the rabbits, were so strong and amazing. A better name for them are the Lilac Girls because a lilac will only bloom after a freeze. These women survived the heinous acts at Ravensbruck but also raised public awareness about this matter. They also helped bring justice to those that harmed them but speaking out against the doctors that perpetrated these war crimes so that they were charged with crimes against humanity.
The book is heart wrenching and I encourage you to read it.
Many thanks to Martha Hall Kelly, Net Gally and the publisher for this ARC in exchnage for an honest and unbiased review.
THE GIRLS by Emma Cline
Emma Cline perfectly encapsulates all the wantoness and hubris that can be a 14 year old girl in her book, THE GIRLS. I was not prepared for this trippy and disjointed journey that Cline takes the reader on with young Evie.
It all seems so harmless until we are catapulted from her simple childish musings to:
1. Evie developing her own snarky, self awareness as she becomes other than Motherher
2. Her idolization of the wrong older girl that breaks down what little defenses Evie has
3. Her fascination with the wrong community that cloaked itself in charisma and music
4. Her willingness to give herself to the wrong men (a cult leader) who ultimately sends her on the darkest of missions
It is a book you cannot put down once it ensnares you. Evie goes back and forth between the now and 1969 and you can still sense her vulnerability and need for approval. Perhaps that is what is the saddest of all.
Many thanks to Random House, NetGalley and Emma Cline for this advance copy in exhange for an honest and unbiased review.
It all seems so harmless until we are catapulted from her simple childish musings to:
1. Evie developing her own snarky, self awareness as she becomes other than Motherher
2. Her idolization of the wrong older girl that breaks down what little defenses Evie has
3. Her fascination with the wrong community that cloaked itself in charisma and music
4. Her willingness to give herself to the wrong men (a cult leader) who ultimately sends her on the darkest of missions
It is a book you cannot put down once it ensnares you. Evie goes back and forth between the now and 1969 and you can still sense her vulnerability and need for approval. Perhaps that is what is the saddest of all.
Many thanks to Random House, NetGalley and Emma Cline for this advance copy in exhange for an honest and unbiased review.
THE LAST GIRL
THE LAST GIRL by Joe Hart has one of my favorite themes, dystopian life in the near future. This book starts next year, with a precipitous drop in female babies born. It is not long before rebels rise up to face the government and challenge the manner in which they are handling the dwindling birth rates.
We meet Zoey several years after the uprising. She is a 20-year old woman who is kept in a secure facility with a few other women for the safety and protection of society. Theoretically, they are the last of their kind and the hope is that they will survive the virus that killed the other women when they turned 21 years old. If they are able to survive this special birthday, they will be led to a safe zone. The setting for this protective area and initial safe zone is anything but. The girls are treated terribly and are in turn hideous to one another. I thought that this was a sad way to view such a dire situation and found it a negative springboard for the rest of the book.
I do not think that the book was really able to find its way from this initial dark place. Dystopian stories are dark by nature, but this book did not make sense.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. (Stars 2.5)
We meet Zoey several years after the uprising. She is a 20-year old woman who is kept in a secure facility with a few other women for the safety and protection of society. Theoretically, they are the last of their kind and the hope is that they will survive the virus that killed the other women when they turned 21 years old. If they are able to survive this special birthday, they will be led to a safe zone. The setting for this protective area and initial safe zone is anything but. The girls are treated terribly and are in turn hideous to one another. I thought that this was a sad way to view such a dire situation and found it a negative springboard for the rest of the book.
I do not think that the book was really able to find its way from this initial dark place. Dystopian stories are dark by nature, but this book did not make sense.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. (Stars 2.5)
KILLING MAINE by Mike Bond
I enjoyed KILLING MAINE by Mike Bond, although a lot of the story was a little graphic for my taste with the gruesome flashbacks to the time the main character, Pono, spent in the war. I thought I knew Maine as an ecological haven and was very surprised to learn Mr. Bond's take on the nefarious interplay between big wind power and government.
According to the story, most of the big players in the wind power industry got their start at another notable company, Enron. Once the jig was up at Enron, those that were not arrested, made their way over to the next big energy scheme, big wind power. Seems like a good energy alternative and appartently has the "greenies" in their back pocket, but in truth it is devastating to the surrounding environment both human and animal alike. The mutilation and murder of the eagles was pretty unsettling.
Pono goes back to Maine from his relaxing existence in Hawaii to help the husband, Bucky, of his old girlfriend, Lexie, who has just been arrested for shooting out several wind turbines and potentially killing a man. From here, the plot is pretty twisted and confusing with wind power as the enemy and the time Bucky and Pono spent in the Special Forces as the ultimate backdrop. Although Pono despises Bucky for submitting testimony that put him in prison and for stealing his girlfriend, he finds he has no choice but to help prove his innocence. Why? Because at one point in the war, Bucky saved his life. I am not sure this entirely plausible considering the circumstances and incredible risk this puts Pono at considering his criminal record, but I suspended disbelief.
It is an interesting story if you can wind (long i not short like in sit!) your way through it. I understood after I started reading it that it is the second book in a series. I believe this book stands on it own.
Thanks to Net Galley, Mike Bond, and Mandevilla Press for the ARC for an honest review.
According to the story, most of the big players in the wind power industry got their start at another notable company, Enron. Once the jig was up at Enron, those that were not arrested, made their way over to the next big energy scheme, big wind power. Seems like a good energy alternative and appartently has the "greenies" in their back pocket, but in truth it is devastating to the surrounding environment both human and animal alike. The mutilation and murder of the eagles was pretty unsettling.
Pono goes back to Maine from his relaxing existence in Hawaii to help the husband, Bucky, of his old girlfriend, Lexie, who has just been arrested for shooting out several wind turbines and potentially killing a man. From here, the plot is pretty twisted and confusing with wind power as the enemy and the time Bucky and Pono spent in the Special Forces as the ultimate backdrop. Although Pono despises Bucky for submitting testimony that put him in prison and for stealing his girlfriend, he finds he has no choice but to help prove his innocence. Why? Because at one point in the war, Bucky saved his life. I am not sure this entirely plausible considering the circumstances and incredible risk this puts Pono at considering his criminal record, but I suspended disbelief.
It is an interesting story if you can wind (long i not short like in sit!) your way through it. I understood after I started reading it that it is the second book in a series. I believe this book stands on it own.
Thanks to Net Galley, Mike Bond, and Mandevilla Press for the ARC for an honest review.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
THE DIVINE MADNESS OF PHILIP K DICK by Kyle Arnold
THE DIVINE MADNESS OF PHILIP K. DICK by Kyle Arnold is not a light read. Mr. Arnold chronicles Mr. Dick's descent into madness and most notably the divine madness he experienced during February and March of 1971. For those of you who are wondering who Philip Dick is and why is this important? Mr. Dick wrote some of the seminal sci-fi books of the 1970's era including my favorite "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" which was later made in to my favorite movie BLADERUNNER.
Interestingly enough, throughout Mr. Dick's life he was plagued by paranoia and beliefs that perhaps he was in fact an android. He had a total of six wives and lived most of his life in poverty. He had a jealous hatred of L. Ron Hubbard who he felt was his intellectual inferior yet was somehow rewarded financially for his mediocrity. Dick was a complex man with the ability to write about other worlds without camp.
His life story was seated in tragedy with the death of his twin sister, Jane, due to neglect. He nearly died at the same time but was fatefully saved by a nurse that happened to come by the house that was part of the family getting insurance from Met Life. Dick continues to repeat the vision of his sister as a dark haired, dark eyed girl throughout his life as the unattainable woman0-child he flirts with while married. His neglectful parents are repeated in themes in his stories and nightmares as the aliens or androids that are never there for him.
Dick becomes addicted to a cornucopia of medication that he is primarily self medicating, most notably handfuls of methamphtamines that he mixes with alcohol and other drugs. These seem to lead him into his full madness and later death.
The book is well researched with the story moving neathly between his madness, books and personal life. There are many strange incidences that he references such us a mysterious break in, a pink light, the Zebra and the list goes on. It seemed that these were not evidence of a psychospiritual event, but rather a break with reality. It is a sad but interesting read for Dick fans.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. This book will be published June 1, 2016.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
Interestingly enough, throughout Mr. Dick's life he was plagued by paranoia and beliefs that perhaps he was in fact an android. He had a total of six wives and lived most of his life in poverty. He had a jealous hatred of L. Ron Hubbard who he felt was his intellectual inferior yet was somehow rewarded financially for his mediocrity. Dick was a complex man with the ability to write about other worlds without camp.
His life story was seated in tragedy with the death of his twin sister, Jane, due to neglect. He nearly died at the same time but was fatefully saved by a nurse that happened to come by the house that was part of the family getting insurance from Met Life. Dick continues to repeat the vision of his sister as a dark haired, dark eyed girl throughout his life as the unattainable woman0-child he flirts with while married. His neglectful parents are repeated in themes in his stories and nightmares as the aliens or androids that are never there for him.
Dick becomes addicted to a cornucopia of medication that he is primarily self medicating, most notably handfuls of methamphtamines that he mixes with alcohol and other drugs. These seem to lead him into his full madness and later death.
The book is well researched with the story moving neathly between his madness, books and personal life. There are many strange incidences that he references such us a mysterious break in, a pink light, the Zebra and the list goes on. It seemed that these were not evidence of a psychospiritual event, but rather a break with reality. It is a sad but interesting read for Dick fans.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. This book will be published June 1, 2016.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
CAMBODIA NOIR by Nicholas Seeley
The cover of CAMBODIA NOIR by Nicholas Seeley gives the reader a good indication of the content of the book, it is a mind tripping descent into the hell that is Cambodia, or as the residents call it, Cambo. There is enough corruption, drugs and overall bad behavior to give William S. Burroughs a run for his money.
I found the beginning of the book a little difficult to adjust to with the staccato beat of Mr. Seeley's prose. Once I stopped fighting it I fell under the rhythmic spell and realized that this rat-a-tat-tat was key to framing the gritty, drug fueled antics of the book with the corruption of the police and government as a backdrop.
The main character, Will, is an American journalist escaping who begins a strange search for a missing girl, June, who may not be who she seems. The book trades chapters between June's Diary and Will. He is an anti-hero of epic proportions. He is alternately searching for the girl, heroin and more.
That being said, the book draws you in and does not release you til the end. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. The book is being published today, March 15, 2016.
https://shereadit.blogspot.com
I found the beginning of the book a little difficult to adjust to with the staccato beat of Mr. Seeley's prose. Once I stopped fighting it I fell under the rhythmic spell and realized that this rat-a-tat-tat was key to framing the gritty, drug fueled antics of the book with the corruption of the police and government as a backdrop.
The main character, Will, is an American journalist escaping who begins a strange search for a missing girl, June, who may not be who she seems. The book trades chapters between June's Diary and Will. He is an anti-hero of epic proportions. He is alternately searching for the girl, heroin and more.
That being said, the book draws you in and does not release you til the end. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. The book is being published today, March 15, 2016.
https://shereadit.blogspot.com
Friday, March 11, 2016
DARK MATTER by Blake Crouch
Blake Crouch has outdone himself this time with DARK MATTER. I am kicking myself for letting this fantastic thrill ride sit on my shelf for a few weeks before reading. For those who have not read Crouch before, he is the imaginative creator of the WANDERING PINES trilogy and other dystopian stories with a scientific bent.
DARK MATTER is a ride through the multiverse. The beginning is disorienting with the main character, Jason, trying to find his way home if that is even possible. He is battered and cannot find his place in time. In the time he is familiar with he is married to a woman he loves deeply and they have a teenage son. He is a professor at a middle rate college and the last thing he remembers is going out for drinks with his old college roommate who has just one a prestigious award.
The reader begins to wonder if Jason is crazy, because nothing is as he remembers it. Soon he is being chased, the threat is real. What has he done? What does he know? He can't remember anything of substance. His old colleague recaptures him and tries to get information out of him by many appalling means. Jason is a man on the edge, trying to find his real reality and where his present tense lies. At the heart of it is his family and his ultimate desire to be reuinited with them. The truth is so mind bending that is difficult to fathom, but deliciously wicked that I don't want to give away any more for the reader.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing this advance copy in exchange for an unbiased, honest review. This amazing book will be published on November 2, 2016. Do yourself a favor, pick it up!
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
THE LIE by CL Taylor
THE LIE by C.L. Taylor is a seriously unsettling read. The sense of unease stays with you for quite a bit after you finish the book.
The book begins with four British girlfriends going on a holiday to Nepal. We know from the beginning that the holiday ends in death and disaster, but we do not know why. The survivors do not speak to one another.
The story slowly unfolds and it is horrifying, not in the sense of SAW or a CABIN IN THE WOODS sort of thing, but rather the sort of story that one could envision potentially happening. Good intentions, complicated female relationships, a trip to a foreign land, bad romance, a spiritual retreat turned dark, and so on. I am not going to give anything away, but suffice it say that this is worth the read. I felt the heroine, Emma's, fear and emotional unsteadiness.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my unbiased review. You can buy this great book on June 1, 2016.
The book begins with four British girlfriends going on a holiday to Nepal. We know from the beginning that the holiday ends in death and disaster, but we do not know why. The survivors do not speak to one another.
The story slowly unfolds and it is horrifying, not in the sense of SAW or a CABIN IN THE WOODS sort of thing, but rather the sort of story that one could envision potentially happening. Good intentions, complicated female relationships, a trip to a foreign land, bad romance, a spiritual retreat turned dark, and so on. I am not going to give anything away, but suffice it say that this is worth the read. I felt the heroine, Emma's, fear and emotional unsteadiness.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my unbiased review. You can buy this great book on June 1, 2016.
JUST FALL by Nina Sadowsky
I was not a huge fan of JUST FALL by Nina Sadowsky. It is being touted as the next book for those who are fans of Gillian Flynn (GONE GIRL) or Paula Hawkins (GIRL ON THE TRAIN), but I did not see the complexity or level of writing which was rather stilted.
The story begins with a woman having just murdered a man per the instructions her husband left her in a letter. The murder includes the gruesome addition of slicing off the man's bottom lip and mailing it somewhere. Bizarre. Um, has she killed before? She didn't seem to have a lot of pause over this act. The story then jolts between Then and Now to develop the story of why the woman, Ellie, did this for her husband, Rob. I found it pretty contrived and the characters unlikable and unbelievable. There are also a number of storylines that are not resolved at the end of the story. This did not really bother me that much, though. It was more the lack of strong character development and motivation.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher (ARC) and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
The story begins with a woman having just murdered a man per the instructions her husband left her in a letter. The murder includes the gruesome addition of slicing off the man's bottom lip and mailing it somewhere. Bizarre. Um, has she killed before? She didn't seem to have a lot of pause over this act. The story then jolts between Then and Now to develop the story of why the woman, Ellie, did this for her husband, Rob. I found it pretty contrived and the characters unlikable and unbelievable. There are also a number of storylines that are not resolved at the end of the story. This did not really bother me that much, though. It was more the lack of strong character development and motivation.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher (ARC) and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
QUEEN OF THE HIDEOUT by Alice Quinn
This book, "Queen of the Hide Out", by Alice Quinn is the next installment in the Rosie Maldonne French trailer park amateur detective series. In the first book, "Queen of the Trailer Park", the heroine thinks she has hit the bigtime because she finds cash in the trash. She ends up getting embroiled with the mafia and stolen jewels which also make a reappearance in this book.
It takes a bit to get into the swing of Rosie's slang, but once you do it is a fast and quite entertaining romp trying to find a killer and stolen art. In this book, Rosie starts in dire straits in a luxury trailer but not enough money to pay for school fees, Christmas presents or food. She is also struggling with a nasty bout of the flu. She thinks her luck has changed when she meets a handsome man and gets hired by him to watch his elderly father. Rosie quickly develops a fond relationship her charge, a semi-retired art dealer, who is elderly and very fond of a "drinkypoo" and auctioning off his art online.
I don't want to give too much of the story away, but before long Rosie, her four kids and a growing entourage are pursuing killers, thieves and love. A simple but entertaining story.
It takes a bit to get into the swing of Rosie's slang, but once you do it is a fast and quite entertaining romp trying to find a killer and stolen art. In this book, Rosie starts in dire straits in a luxury trailer but not enough money to pay for school fees, Christmas presents or food. She is also struggling with a nasty bout of the flu. She thinks her luck has changed when she meets a handsome man and gets hired by him to watch his elderly father. Rosie quickly develops a fond relationship her charge, a semi-retired art dealer, who is elderly and very fond of a "drinkypoo" and auctioning off his art online.
I don't want to give too much of the story away, but before long Rosie, her four kids and a growing entourage are pursuing killers, thieves and love. A simple but entertaining story.
TRY NOT TO BREATHE by Holly Seddon
TRY NOT TO BREATHE by Holly Seddon has been compared to Lianne Moriarty, Paula Hawkins, and Tana French. It is quite amazing that this is the debut novel for this young author. It has a level of maturity and experience to it that gives weight to the psychological suspense.
Alex Dale, a young reporter, tries find her sense of purpose in life again and heal from the mess her alcoholism made of her marriage by solving the mystery of how Amy Stevenson ended up in a vegetative state.
Amy was the biggest story of 1995 by disappearing from school one day at only 15 years old, only to be found three days later in a coma. Initially her stepfather was arrested as the suspect, but then released. Her true attacker was never found and many mysteries swirled around the reason for her attack. Now it is 15 years later and Amy is still in a vegetative state in a hospital surrounded by 90’s Britpop posters forgotten by all but her old boyfriend who visits her religiously. Is he hiding something? By chance Alex comes across Amy while she is researching another story in the hospital. Amy's story flashes back to her like yesterday and she is hooked. She must solve the case at any and all costs.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review. The book will be published February 23, 2016.
Alex Dale, a young reporter, tries find her sense of purpose in life again and heal from the mess her alcoholism made of her marriage by solving the mystery of how Amy Stevenson ended up in a vegetative state.
Amy was the biggest story of 1995 by disappearing from school one day at only 15 years old, only to be found three days later in a coma. Initially her stepfather was arrested as the suspect, but then released. Her true attacker was never found and many mysteries swirled around the reason for her attack. Now it is 15 years later and Amy is still in a vegetative state in a hospital surrounded by 90’s Britpop posters forgotten by all but her old boyfriend who visits her religiously. Is he hiding something? By chance Alex comes across Amy while she is researching another story in the hospital. Amy's story flashes back to her like yesterday and she is hooked. She must solve the case at any and all costs.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review. The book will be published February 23, 2016.
THE TRAVELERS by Chris Pavone
Unlike most books, it took me awhile to dive into this one. I am not sure what the problem was exactly, it just seemed like "The Travelers" did a bit of abrupt switching from scenes, characters, etc. so that I was not sure where I was and why. About halfway through the book it gelled for me and all the sudden I cared about what was happening to the adulterous writer Will Rhodes and his mysterious plight. Then suddenly there are a host of questions: What is Travelers Magazine? What is the deal with his boss Malcom? Why is his Will's wife so undeveloped until the end of the book? Who exactly is in the CIA?
It seems that Will is caught in the honeypot scheme all to easily with the enigmatic Elle in Argentina. He is trying to get pregnant with his wife, yet he readily jumps into bed with this stranger and then when Elle threatens him about it he rather quickly agrees to be a spy. For a journalist he is rather gullible and does not do a lot of fact checking. Will also adapts to the surveillance and other spy measures rather fast. Perhaps he is a natural?
By the time you get done asking yourself these questions it doesn't even matter anymore because the book jets off to foreign lands and becomes very exciting. Lots of twists and turns to the very end. A good ride all in all if you are willing to stick out the initial bit and suspend some disbelief.
It seems that Will is caught in the honeypot scheme all to easily with the enigmatic Elle in Argentina. He is trying to get pregnant with his wife, yet he readily jumps into bed with this stranger and then when Elle threatens him about it he rather quickly agrees to be a spy. For a journalist he is rather gullible and does not do a lot of fact checking. Will also adapts to the surveillance and other spy measures rather fast. Perhaps he is a natural?
By the time you get done asking yourself these questions it doesn't even matter anymore because the book jets off to foreign lands and becomes very exciting. Lots of twists and turns to the very end. A good ride all in all if you are willing to stick out the initial bit and suspend some disbelief.
WRITTEN IN FIRE by Marcus Sakey
It can be difficult to maintain stamina with a series of books, but the Brilliance Saga is different. "Written in Fire" is a solid finish to an excellent trilogy by Marcus Sakey. It is easy to jump back into the book and recall the characters and their motivations. I recommend reading the other books first for context and enjoyment. I think that his first two books have more finesse and energy than this finale, but it is still a good wrapup to Sakey's look into humanity's persecution of those with gifted traits. It is hard to ignore the painful themes of persecution, alienation and racism that are prevalent in this book that are also so prominent in today's daily news.
Sakey delves into the inequity between "normals" and "brilliants" and the war the two are waging against one another. This story has it all including deceit, conspiracy, political intrigue, romance, grief, battle scenes and romantic betrayals. All of the characters are very interesting and many are playing sides within sides. There are three primary groups on the Brilliant side all representing different factions. The first is Nick Cooper who is the hero who used to be with the government group the DAR, but is now trying to make amends for not killing John Smith when he had the chance. There are the Epstein brothers who run the refuge for the Brilliants and control major amounts of information. Finally there is the rebel John Smith and his group who want to cause as much damage to as many people as possible. On the Normal side there is the Government, Luke Hammond and his militia group and the scientists who invented the "brilliance replicator".
It is interesting to see how Nick resolves his guilt and deals with John Smith. It is fascinating to watch the different people use and develop their different skills/gifts. I probably could have done without the conflicting romance themes with Nick. Having said that, there are many other intriguing parts of the book that make you want to continue reading. The battle scenes alone are amazing.
Sakey delves into the inequity between "normals" and "brilliants" and the war the two are waging against one another. This story has it all including deceit, conspiracy, political intrigue, romance, grief, battle scenes and romantic betrayals. All of the characters are very interesting and many are playing sides within sides. There are three primary groups on the Brilliant side all representing different factions. The first is Nick Cooper who is the hero who used to be with the government group the DAR, but is now trying to make amends for not killing John Smith when he had the chance. There are the Epstein brothers who run the refuge for the Brilliants and control major amounts of information. Finally there is the rebel John Smith and his group who want to cause as much damage to as many people as possible. On the Normal side there is the Government, Luke Hammond and his militia group and the scientists who invented the "brilliance replicator".
It is interesting to see how Nick resolves his guilt and deals with John Smith. It is fascinating to watch the different people use and develop their different skills/gifts. I probably could have done without the conflicting romance themes with Nick. Having said that, there are many other intriguing parts of the book that make you want to continue reading. The battle scenes alone are amazing.
WINTER GIRL by Matt Marinovich
"Winter Girl" by Matt Marinovich is seriously dark and twisted. If you thought that "Gone Girl" was creepy and had some twists, get ready for a real ride. The married couple in this book, Scott and Elise, are also a more fun to read about than Amy and Nick in "Gone Girl".
"Winter Girl" is devilish with a twist of humor that makes it bearable. Like "Gone Girl", Scott and Elise are into secrets, lies and even crimes some more serious than others. The duo is complemented by Elise's demonic and debased elderly father who clings to life, a married nurse who is all too willing to be manipulated by the disgusting old man, a seemingly vacant house across the way that calls out to Scott in his boredom a la Hitchcock's "Rear Window" and the mysterious title character the Winter Girl.
The Winter Girl has the addition of Hamptons' alluring winter setting, a vacant house, a perverted evil old twisted sadistic wicked father, Victor (who will not die)--continuing to plot his evil, even with cancer on his death bed. There’s also the other worthy characters: the nurse, and the mysterious winter girl to add a bit of spice, and horror. A dangerous game of mind-blowing cat and mouse—making this an ideal “book to film” adaption. The movie would be a riot.
Scott and Elise have left their meager lives in Brooklyn to care for her perverted father who is purportedly on his death bed. They move to his house in the Hamptons in the middle of winter. Elise is far from normal. She alludes to prior sexual assualt from her father, her mother left, her brother ended up in jail and they now speak by phone in code. It is not explained why Elise comes back to care for this brutal man or why Scott endorses this plan especially since her father despises her, except for the fact that they don't have many other options. Their marriage is hanging on by a thread.
At first they are staying in Victor's house while he is in the hospital. It is during this time that Scott becomes obsessed with the house next door. Elise is primarily consumed with trips back and forth to the hospital. Scott does little but drink Victor's booze all day and watch the house. He occasionally thinks of potential ideas to try and jumpstart his photography career but to no avail. He is all thought and no action when it comes to work, but when it comes to the house, he wants in.
He talks Elise into breaking into the house with him. It seems surprising how easily she goes along with him. They both become aroused by their daring and engage in sex at the house, discovering a tremendous amount of blood on the bed. They decide to cover it up and not tell anyone. To complicate matters, the perverted father Victor decides to come home to begin his own twisted games....
This is where the story really begins and it is a ride until the end to determine who is the best game player? Who owns what and whom? Who and what is the Winter Girl? Who is the most evil? Who is a killer and who is not? The auther is a master of sarcasm, humor, twists, turns and shockers. I read it in one sitting and was equally horrified and mesmerized. The Talking Heads probably knew these characters best with their hit "Psycho Killer". This book is not for the faint of heart.
Thank you to Net Galley for this book. I have provided an unbiased review.
"Winter Girl" is devilish with a twist of humor that makes it bearable. Like "Gone Girl", Scott and Elise are into secrets, lies and even crimes some more serious than others. The duo is complemented by Elise's demonic and debased elderly father who clings to life, a married nurse who is all too willing to be manipulated by the disgusting old man, a seemingly vacant house across the way that calls out to Scott in his boredom a la Hitchcock's "Rear Window" and the mysterious title character the Winter Girl.
The Winter Girl has the addition of Hamptons' alluring winter setting, a vacant house, a perverted evil old twisted sadistic wicked father, Victor (who will not die)--continuing to plot his evil, even with cancer on his death bed. There’s also the other worthy characters: the nurse, and the mysterious winter girl to add a bit of spice, and horror. A dangerous game of mind-blowing cat and mouse—making this an ideal “book to film” adaption. The movie would be a riot.
Scott and Elise have left their meager lives in Brooklyn to care for her perverted father who is purportedly on his death bed. They move to his house in the Hamptons in the middle of winter. Elise is far from normal. She alludes to prior sexual assualt from her father, her mother left, her brother ended up in jail and they now speak by phone in code. It is not explained why Elise comes back to care for this brutal man or why Scott endorses this plan especially since her father despises her, except for the fact that they don't have many other options. Their marriage is hanging on by a thread.
At first they are staying in Victor's house while he is in the hospital. It is during this time that Scott becomes obsessed with the house next door. Elise is primarily consumed with trips back and forth to the hospital. Scott does little but drink Victor's booze all day and watch the house. He occasionally thinks of potential ideas to try and jumpstart his photography career but to no avail. He is all thought and no action when it comes to work, but when it comes to the house, he wants in.
He talks Elise into breaking into the house with him. It seems surprising how easily she goes along with him. They both become aroused by their daring and engage in sex at the house, discovering a tremendous amount of blood on the bed. They decide to cover it up and not tell anyone. To complicate matters, the perverted father Victor decides to come home to begin his own twisted games....
This is where the story really begins and it is a ride until the end to determine who is the best game player? Who owns what and whom? Who and what is the Winter Girl? Who is the most evil? Who is a killer and who is not? The auther is a master of sarcasm, humor, twists, turns and shockers. I read it in one sitting and was equally horrified and mesmerized. The Talking Heads probably knew these characters best with their hit "Psycho Killer". This book is not for the faint of heart.
Thank you to Net Galley for this book. I have provided an unbiased review.
THE PROFITEERS by Sally Denton
THE PROFITEERS: BECHTEL AND THE MEN WHO BUILT THE WORLD by Sally Denton is an incredibly well researched account of the birth and growth of the global nation building company, Bechtel Corporation.
Bechtel Company is still privately owned and over 115 years old. Ms. Denton chronicles the history and development of the company from a small road grading company in Nevada that was founded by "Pa" Bechtel in 1898 to one of the world's largest construction companies. The company's mantra is that it can "build anything, any place, any time." Almost as impressive is the fact that they have been run by family members the entire time, except for one brief stint recently after the reign of Riley Bechtel while waiting for his son to get up to speed.
Bechtel is also able to tackle seemingly insurmountable projects in indomitable locations due to their abillity to innovate, plan, persevere and have an overall lack of concern for human capital on the jobsites as was seen in their construction of the Hoover Dam in the Mojave Desert.
Over five generations Bechtel has been involved in some of the world's most notable projects including the Hoover Dam, the Big Dig, the rebuilt the oil fields after Desert Storm, rebuilt New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, removed destruction and debris of the World Trade Center bombings, rebuilt Iraq, and the list goes on. They have also constructed airports, ports, power plants, nuclear power plants, and cities.
The argument that Denton lays out is repeated throughout the book, Bechtel got where it is today through its revolving door with Washington DC. The company has had its hands in every political party over the generations and due to these relationships was able to win a number of no bid contracts. It appears there were connections, but direct ties are harder to substantiate. It is shocking to learn of the number of individuals who worked for Bechtel and then held positions in the White House and vice verse. The reader will have to reach his/her own conclusions.
This book is a pleasure to read as it chronicles the birth of one of the most powerful companies in the world and how it has influenced how so much is built over the world. A must read!
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review. This book was published February 16, 2016.
Bechtel Company is still privately owned and over 115 years old. Ms. Denton chronicles the history and development of the company from a small road grading company in Nevada that was founded by "Pa" Bechtel in 1898 to one of the world's largest construction companies. The company's mantra is that it can "build anything, any place, any time." Almost as impressive is the fact that they have been run by family members the entire time, except for one brief stint recently after the reign of Riley Bechtel while waiting for his son to get up to speed.
Bechtel is also able to tackle seemingly insurmountable projects in indomitable locations due to their abillity to innovate, plan, persevere and have an overall lack of concern for human capital on the jobsites as was seen in their construction of the Hoover Dam in the Mojave Desert.
Over five generations Bechtel has been involved in some of the world's most notable projects including the Hoover Dam, the Big Dig, the rebuilt the oil fields after Desert Storm, rebuilt New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, removed destruction and debris of the World Trade Center bombings, rebuilt Iraq, and the list goes on. They have also constructed airports, ports, power plants, nuclear power plants, and cities.
The argument that Denton lays out is repeated throughout the book, Bechtel got where it is today through its revolving door with Washington DC. The company has had its hands in every political party over the generations and due to these relationships was able to win a number of no bid contracts. It appears there were connections, but direct ties are harder to substantiate. It is shocking to learn of the number of individuals who worked for Bechtel and then held positions in the White House and vice verse. The reader will have to reach his/her own conclusions.
This book is a pleasure to read as it chronicles the birth of one of the most powerful companies in the world and how it has influenced how so much is built over the world. A must read!
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review. This book was published February 16, 2016.
THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED by Derek Cavignano
THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED by Derek Cavignano is a biotech murder mystery that you won't want to miss. The book hooks the reader from the very start with a mysterious elderly man dying in Jacob Hanley's arms. Before dying, the man whispers a few last words that don't make any sense to Jacob.
Jacob is soon on the hunt to find the meaning of the words and the real reason for the man's death. He uncovers a heinous scheme by the founder of the biotech Symbios Innovations whose employees follow him like cult worshippers. Hans Streisser, the leader of the cultish Symbios, who is also known as the Great Elder, has discovered the secret of immortality and will protect this knowledge at all costs.
This story is set on the streets of Boston which make a good backdrop for the Great Elder's murderous plot and evil father-son henchmen team. Jacob finds himself in a life or death battle til the end. The story gets a little bogged down at times with Jacob's preoccupation with his wife's death, but other than that it is a solid and creative thrill ride. 4 stars.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
Jacob is soon on the hunt to find the meaning of the words and the real reason for the man's death. He uncovers a heinous scheme by the founder of the biotech Symbios Innovations whose employees follow him like cult worshippers. Hans Streisser, the leader of the cultish Symbios, who is also known as the Great Elder, has discovered the secret of immortality and will protect this knowledge at all costs.
This story is set on the streets of Boston which make a good backdrop for the Great Elder's murderous plot and evil father-son henchmen team. Jacob finds himself in a life or death battle til the end. The story gets a little bogged down at times with Jacob's preoccupation with his wife's death, but other than that it is a solid and creative thrill ride. 4 stars.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
ON THE SHORES OF DARKNESS, THERE IS LIGHT by Cordelia Strube
I cannot remember the last time I was so wholly taken in by a book. I was trying to rack my brain to remember the last time that I truly felt that an author was able to totally transcend all things with his/her story and I think that book was "Little Friend" by Donna Tartt.
I fell in awe of 11 year old Harriet almost immediately. Her unsuitable predicament is striking and horrifying, yet she finds a way to make her situation work for her until it doesn't. Her family is so desperately dysfunctional, that as you are reading you are constantly thankful for the senior citizens that populate her low income apartment building and provide her with some normalcy. Harriet and the seniors are hysterical in the face of much that is not funny. Harriet is a keen observer of humanity and there are too many brilliant lines in the book to even begin to start quoting them. do not want to give too much of this story away as one should discover all of its nuances for oneself.
There are so many beautiful and disturbing aspects to this story that I know I will need to read it again and again. The first read you think you have a fairly good idea of where the book is going, but it is a total and utter surprise. The characters were very well developed and I am still thinking about all them now. This book will definitely become a permanent additition to my library. 5 stars, plain and simple.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
I fell in awe of 11 year old Harriet almost immediately. Her unsuitable predicament is striking and horrifying, yet she finds a way to make her situation work for her until it doesn't. Her family is so desperately dysfunctional, that as you are reading you are constantly thankful for the senior citizens that populate her low income apartment building and provide her with some normalcy. Harriet and the seniors are hysterical in the face of much that is not funny. Harriet is a keen observer of humanity and there are too many brilliant lines in the book to even begin to start quoting them. do not want to give too much of this story away as one should discover all of its nuances for oneself.
There are so many beautiful and disturbing aspects to this story that I know I will need to read it again and again. The first read you think you have a fairly good idea of where the book is going, but it is a total and utter surprise. The characters were very well developed and I am still thinking about all them now. This book will definitely become a permanent additition to my library. 5 stars, plain and simple.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
THE UNDYING by Ethan Reid
I really enjoyed the zombie apocalypse book, The Undying by Ethan Reid. I received a copy of from the publisher through Netgalley for which I give my thanks. The review below is my own.
The story begins with a part amongst old and new friends in Paris. Americans Jeanie and Ben have come to the City of Lights. Jeanie is there to visit her old friend Zou Zou and to try and get some distance from the recent death of her father. Ben is there to supposedly chaperone Jeanie while it soon become clear he only wants to pursue her romantically.
During the New Year's Eve celebration there are some flashes of light followed by darkness. More darkness and complete chaos follow the next morning. The two Americans must travel across Paris to find their French friends and see if they can return home. Before leaving their hotel a scientist tells them that this appears to be an end of world level event and that his wife is in the process of giving birth in the hospital. He begs Jeanie to go find his wife and child in the event something happens to him. Within no time more debris falls to the earth and the scientist is killed. Violence rages in the streets with looting and a search for necessities. A hostile group of Parisian humans are set on killing the Americans, Jeanie and Ben.
Shortly after this occurs a few things happen:
1. Ben quickly devolves into a sniveling mess who is obsessesed with Jeanie and jealous of every man she looks at.
2. Jeanie is focused on finding the scientist's child, finding Zou Zou and the rest of the dinner party group, hearing her dead father's voice and worries about not taking her antidepressants. Are her grief and lack of medication causing her visions of the pale ones?
3. The mysterious pale, pyschic beings have a strange connection to Jeanie and nobody else seems to see or sense them until a good portion of the way through the book.
4. Society as a whole quickly unravels and resorts to its basest nature, except for Jeanie who is committed to preserving the infant at all costs.
On the whole this is a pretty interesting tale of survival. It is especially riveting when they are escaping through the catacombs beneath Paris. It can get a bit gory at times; it is a zombie story! At times one is not sure who is more disturbing, the pale ones or the humans that have become so hardened and cruel in no time.
The story begins with a part amongst old and new friends in Paris. Americans Jeanie and Ben have come to the City of Lights. Jeanie is there to visit her old friend Zou Zou and to try and get some distance from the recent death of her father. Ben is there to supposedly chaperone Jeanie while it soon become clear he only wants to pursue her romantically.
During the New Year's Eve celebration there are some flashes of light followed by darkness. More darkness and complete chaos follow the next morning. The two Americans must travel across Paris to find their French friends and see if they can return home. Before leaving their hotel a scientist tells them that this appears to be an end of world level event and that his wife is in the process of giving birth in the hospital. He begs Jeanie to go find his wife and child in the event something happens to him. Within no time more debris falls to the earth and the scientist is killed. Violence rages in the streets with looting and a search for necessities. A hostile group of Parisian humans are set on killing the Americans, Jeanie and Ben.
Shortly after this occurs a few things happen:
1. Ben quickly devolves into a sniveling mess who is obsessesed with Jeanie and jealous of every man she looks at.
2. Jeanie is focused on finding the scientist's child, finding Zou Zou and the rest of the dinner party group, hearing her dead father's voice and worries about not taking her antidepressants. Are her grief and lack of medication causing her visions of the pale ones?
3. The mysterious pale, pyschic beings have a strange connection to Jeanie and nobody else seems to see or sense them until a good portion of the way through the book.
4. Society as a whole quickly unravels and resorts to its basest nature, except for Jeanie who is committed to preserving the infant at all costs.
On the whole this is a pretty interesting tale of survival. It is especially riveting when they are escaping through the catacombs beneath Paris. It can get a bit gory at times; it is a zombie story! At times one is not sure who is more disturbing, the pale ones or the humans that have become so hardened and cruel in no time.
THE PROGENY by Tosca Lee
THE PROGENY (DESCENDANTS OF THE BLOOD COUNTESS #1) is a fantastic new story by New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee. I have not had the pleasure of reading Tosca Lee before, but I am going to make it a point to do so. She brings a new take to an ancient mystery of the blood countess, Elizabeth Bathory, one of the most notorious female serial killers in history. She is rumored to have brutally killed more than 600 servants and bathed in their blood, which is how she got her nickname the Blood Countess.
The story begins with Emily Jacobs preparing to leave the Center where she has had her memory completely erased. Here are some things about Emily, she is 21 years old, she starts renting a tiny cabin in the woods of Maine for reasons she can't remember and she has no memory. Oh, and she is the direct descendant of the murderess the Blood Countess. She soon realizes she is being hunted.
Emily begins an odyssey that will take her through underground Europe and its ancient orders. She finds love, friendship, trust and memories along her journey. This story has it all from romance to the gruesome 400-year old war between the descendants of the Blood Countess and the secret society dedicated to killing every last one of them. Only Emily holds the key to her survival and the answers to the question of the whether the Blood Countess deservedly earned that moniker. A thrill ride to the end with a cliffhanger that will ensure that we are all eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Many thanks to Tosca Lee, Howard Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy for an honest and unbiased review. Look for this book to purchase on May 24, 2016!
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
The story begins with Emily Jacobs preparing to leave the Center where she has had her memory completely erased. Here are some things about Emily, she is 21 years old, she starts renting a tiny cabin in the woods of Maine for reasons she can't remember and she has no memory. Oh, and she is the direct descendant of the murderess the Blood Countess. She soon realizes she is being hunted.
Emily begins an odyssey that will take her through underground Europe and its ancient orders. She finds love, friendship, trust and memories along her journey. This story has it all from romance to the gruesome 400-year old war between the descendants of the Blood Countess and the secret society dedicated to killing every last one of them. Only Emily holds the key to her survival and the answers to the question of the whether the Blood Countess deservedly earned that moniker. A thrill ride to the end with a cliffhanger that will ensure that we are all eagerly awaiting the next installment!
Many thanks to Tosca Lee, Howard Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy for an honest and unbiased review. Look for this book to purchase on May 24, 2016!
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
THE PASSENGER by Lisa Lutz
This is my first experience reading Lisa Lutz and it will not be the last. I received latest book, "The Passenger", courtesy of Simon & Schuster via Netgalley.
It is a tightly wound thriller about a woman racing to escape her husband's death, her mysterious past and those pursuing her. She adopts different names, hair colors, living situations, cars and careers to avoid the hold of her history.
The one thread that connects her to her old life is a teenage love that she communicates with intermittently through a secure email account. At times the story seems implausible, but the best stories, fiction and nonfiction, usually have a bit of the improbable in them. Life is not a straight line, it is more like the highways that the character teaches about and travels in the book. If you are on a journey involving escape, death, money and lies it typically has some unpleasant truths and surreal undertones.
I liked this character Tanya (etc) and her unlikely friendship with the enigmatic, Blue. Lutz has a bit of the same qualities of some other great female authors of late like Laura Lippman, Gillian Flynn and so on. I encourage you to give it a read.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
It is a tightly wound thriller about a woman racing to escape her husband's death, her mysterious past and those pursuing her. She adopts different names, hair colors, living situations, cars and careers to avoid the hold of her history.
The one thread that connects her to her old life is a teenage love that she communicates with intermittently through a secure email account. At times the story seems implausible, but the best stories, fiction and nonfiction, usually have a bit of the improbable in them. Life is not a straight line, it is more like the highways that the character teaches about and travels in the book. If you are on a journey involving escape, death, money and lies it typically has some unpleasant truths and surreal undertones.
I liked this character Tanya (etc) and her unlikely friendship with the enigmatic, Blue. Lutz has a bit of the same qualities of some other great female authors of late like Laura Lippman, Gillian Flynn and so on. I encourage you to give it a read.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
NIRVANA by JR Stewart
I was really looking forward to reading NIRVANA by JR Stewart, but the story did not do it for me. I loved the cover and the concept of the book; however, like is frequently the problem when I do not like a book, I did not connect with the main characters and the plot of the story.
The heroine of the book enters a virtual world known as Nirvana after the purported death of her husband. She supposedly thinks he is/was the greatest thing in the world, but then flip flops in her feelings toward him on a regular basis. It is rather flippant, not like someone who is grieving for the loss of their soulmate and willing to enter a different reality to find them. It just rings false. There are a number of other characters in the book, but they are also flat. I am wondering if this is just the first book working through some issues and the second one will be better?
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This book does not have a publish date.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
The heroine of the book enters a virtual world known as Nirvana after the purported death of her husband. She supposedly thinks he is/was the greatest thing in the world, but then flip flops in her feelings toward him on a regular basis. It is rather flippant, not like someone who is grieving for the loss of their soulmate and willing to enter a different reality to find them. It just rings false. There are a number of other characters in the book, but they are also flat. I am wondering if this is just the first book working through some issues and the second one will be better?
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This book does not have a publish date.
http://shereadit.blogspot.com
SNEEK PEEK: SCARLETT EPSTEIN HATES IT HERE
SNEAK PEEK OF SCARLETT EPSTEIN HATES IT HERE by Anna Breslaw is a great little preview of the hilarious Scarlett Epstein and her YA world. One realizes from the start of the book that Scarlett is not your average teen except for her acerbic wit and paroxysms over her favorite show getting canceled. She has a deep, poignant maturity that supercedes the teen storyline. I can't wait to read the whole book!
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this Sneek Peek! I was provided an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This book will be published on April 29, 2016. If you are like me, you will take this opportunity to pick it up and have a good read.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this Sneek Peek! I was provided an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This book will be published on April 29, 2016. If you are like me, you will take this opportunity to pick it up and have a good read.
Monday, March 7, 2016
RUINS by Terence Donoghue
RUINS by Terence Donoghue is an extraordinary read on every level. It is wonderfully written with intrigue, a great story and interesting characters with depth. The fact that it is supposed to be loosely based upon the author's own exploits while traveling and working in Persia makes it all the more interesting.
The story takes place in 1976. The Shah is ruling Iran with the help of Savak (read: the secret police that myseriously disappear people who speak ill of the the Shah's regime). Even with the eternal threat of SAVAK, opposition to the Shah's rule is bubbling up amongst the people. Walt Tierney, a young American traveler, appears on the scene in the ancient city of Isfahan. Little does he know that his travels will abruptly take a pit stop in this broken but beautiful city, where he will find friendship, love, work and corruption.
This story is so mesmerizing because it seemlessly blends the characters and their stories with the history of the time and the power of the revolution. Walt experiences adventure, betrayal and violence as the revolution begins to reach a fever pitch and someone he cares about deeply is betrayed to the secret police with a blood on his hands literally and figuratively.
A great read. Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing this advance digital copy for an unbiased and honest review. It is to be published March 13, 2016.
The story takes place in 1976. The Shah is ruling Iran with the help of Savak (read: the secret police that myseriously disappear people who speak ill of the the Shah's regime). Even with the eternal threat of SAVAK, opposition to the Shah's rule is bubbling up amongst the people. Walt Tierney, a young American traveler, appears on the scene in the ancient city of Isfahan. Little does he know that his travels will abruptly take a pit stop in this broken but beautiful city, where he will find friendship, love, work and corruption.
This story is so mesmerizing because it seemlessly blends the characters and their stories with the history of the time and the power of the revolution. Walt experiences adventure, betrayal and violence as the revolution begins to reach a fever pitch and someone he cares about deeply is betrayed to the secret police with a blood on his hands literally and figuratively.
A great read. Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing this advance digital copy for an unbiased and honest review. It is to be published March 13, 2016.
ONLY IN NAPLES by Katherine Wilson
If you are in the mood for a lighthearted coming of age story of an American girl in Naples, ONLY IN NAPLES: LESSONS IN FOOD AND FAMIGLIA FROM MY ITALIAN MOTHER IN LAW by Katherine Wilson is for you. The book is autobiographical.
Katherine Wilson is a rather sheltered American girl who moves to Naples for post-graduate work at the US Consulate. She is from a wealthy family and the Consul is a friend of her family's. The Avellone family is connected to the Consulate and is assigned to find her housing and their son handsome son Salvatore is given the duty of showing her Naples.
Katherine soon leaves her temporary housing at the Catholic boy's school and moves in with the Avellone family where she is fully immersed in Neopolitan culture. She and Salvatore fall head over heels for each other. Salvatore's mother, Raphaella, is the head of the house and rules all through her food and other edicts. Coming from an Italian family, I found this story hilarious. There were so many truths that I found myself laughing hysterically throughout the book, but I think non-Italians will find it just as entertaining.
Neopolitan do's and don'ts:
1. Never put cheese on seafood dishes.
2. Never get wall to wall carpeting, it is filthy.
3. Coffee is for people who are in confidenza. People with whom you share your shit.
4. An apartment for 23 year old Neoplitan did not mean a dorm room or a flat with roommate it meant his parents apartment. Unmarried Italian boys live with their parents.
5. Life is a matter of trust. "To trust is good, not to trust is better," is an oft-repeated Neopolitan expression.
6. Neopolitan parents want to prepare their children for the real world, where cheating and lying are the norm. The worst thing is to raise a child who is baccala (dumb as a piece of cod) or addoramuta (like a zombie). There is no end to the perjorative terms for a person who is naive and trusting.
7. Family members and friends chomp at the bit to help those they love in need at the hospital or in poor health. It seems they are no there because they are prey to guilt or someone forced them to do their duty. They are only there because it is clearly the only place for them to be now. They are there to make sure the nurses and doctors don't f&%k up. In the States, if you have a relative in the hospital, you might stop by to see how they are doing, perhaps bring a book or flowers. Here you come with your job cut out for you.
Katherine Wilson is a rather sheltered American girl who moves to Naples for post-graduate work at the US Consulate. She is from a wealthy family and the Consul is a friend of her family's. The Avellone family is connected to the Consulate and is assigned to find her housing and their son handsome son Salvatore is given the duty of showing her Naples.
Katherine soon leaves her temporary housing at the Catholic boy's school and moves in with the Avellone family where she is fully immersed in Neopolitan culture. She and Salvatore fall head over heels for each other. Salvatore's mother, Raphaella, is the head of the house and rules all through her food and other edicts. Coming from an Italian family, I found this story hilarious. There were so many truths that I found myself laughing hysterically throughout the book, but I think non-Italians will find it just as entertaining.
Neopolitan do's and don'ts:
1. Never put cheese on seafood dishes.
2. Never get wall to wall carpeting, it is filthy.
3. Coffee is for people who are in confidenza. People with whom you share your shit.
4. An apartment for 23 year old Neoplitan did not mean a dorm room or a flat with roommate it meant his parents apartment. Unmarried Italian boys live with their parents.
5. Life is a matter of trust. "To trust is good, not to trust is better," is an oft-repeated Neopolitan expression.
6. Neopolitan parents want to prepare their children for the real world, where cheating and lying are the norm. The worst thing is to raise a child who is baccala (dumb as a piece of cod) or addoramuta (like a zombie). There is no end to the perjorative terms for a person who is naive and trusting.
7. Family members and friends chomp at the bit to help those they love in need at the hospital or in poor health. It seems they are no there because they are prey to guilt or someone forced them to do their duty. They are only there because it is clearly the only place for them to be now. They are there to make sure the nurses and doctors don't f&%k up. In the States, if you have a relative in the hospital, you might stop by to see how they are doing, perhaps bring a book or flowers. Here you come with your job cut out for you.
LOVE STRUCK by Laurelin McGee
This book was not my cup of tea. I understand that it is the second book in a series written by a writing duo, Laurelin Page and Kayti McGee. I have not read the other book, although I have heard a lot of positive feedback about it. I was given this book by NetGalley for an unbiased review.
The book begins with the heroine, Lacy, trying to recover from the loss of her fiance. She tries to gain perspective and solace through her music. I did not finder her character that interesting or engaging. She develops a relationship with Eli who is also a musician and purported to be extremely gifted, but I found his character to be irritating. I think that the book would have worked out better for me if I would have been more drawn to the primary characters. Also, the story overall dragged along. I give this a 2.5.
The book begins with the heroine, Lacy, trying to recover from the loss of her fiance. She tries to gain perspective and solace through her music. I did not finder her character that interesting or engaging. She develops a relationship with Eli who is also a musician and purported to be extremely gifted, but I found his character to be irritating. I think that the book would have worked out better for me if I would have been more drawn to the primary characters. Also, the story overall dragged along. I give this a 2.5.
SAWBONES by Melissa Lenhardt
| SAWBONES by Melissa Lenhardt is an excellent bit of historical fiction. The story takes place in New York in 1817. Catherine Bennet is visiting a resurrection man because nobody else will let her practice so she can be better at ther trade -- medicine. Catherine is a Victorian anomaly a female doctor. On her way back from the resurrection man she is attacked by a man when he realizes that she is really not a man, she is just dressed like one so she can travel about freely at night. Her friend and one-time lover, James, saves her and soon tells her that she is accused of murdering a prominent man and of being his lover. Catherine decides to change her name to Laura Ellington and flee to Colorado with her dutiful maid, Maureen, to avoid the noose. Things soon turn tragic when their wagon train is violently attached by a group of Kiowa Indians. Catherine (now Laura) is a strong feminist role model for any era. She manages to maintain her strength, dignity and will to live against all odds. This story is a fantastic read with many different layers including love, loonging, feminism, history, the Wild West, Victorian Era, and lots of suspense. All of the characters are well developed which makes this book so solid. Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased honest review. The book will be published March 29, 2016. |
ALMANA by Julayn Adams
ALMANA by Julayn Adams is a lovely story set within a YA dystopian novel. Almana, nicknamed Ali, is an angel sent on a dangerous mission to help a girl named Alexa realize her full potential. Along the way she is adopted into Alexa's family and fall's for her brother. The love story is quite beautiful as is the prose that the author employs.
Alexa comes from strong stock. Her father, Doc, runs the settlement camp in the dystopian society where most of the characters live. He handles all conflicts and challenges with justice. It is not surprising to learn that Alexa is slated to be a savior of the society.
The story delves into many matters including love, jealousy, cliques, gossip, good vs. evil and the afterlife. It was an interesting read from start to finish. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the series which I understand is to be titled, VISION.
Many thanks to the Julayn Adams, the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance digital copy of this book for my honest, unbiased review. It will be published in February 15, 2016.
Alexa comes from strong stock. Her father, Doc, runs the settlement camp in the dystopian society where most of the characters live. He handles all conflicts and challenges with justice. It is not surprising to learn that Alexa is slated to be a savior of the society.
The story delves into many matters including love, jealousy, cliques, gossip, good vs. evil and the afterlife. It was an interesting read from start to finish. I cannot wait to read the next installment in the series which I understand is to be titled, VISION.
Many thanks to the Julayn Adams, the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance digital copy of this book for my honest, unbiased review. It will be published in February 15, 2016.
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