Thursday, 18 October 2012

Review: Not so Dreamsville


dear readers,


(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)


MISS DREAMSVILLE AND THE COLLIER COUNTY WOMEN'S LITERARY SOCIETY
Written by Amy Hill Hearth
genre: contemporary fiction

3 STARS 

Dora takes us back to 1963 in Florida when a Yankee family moves in and Jackie Hart the 40 year old housewife is looking to be anything but a homemaker.  When a notice goes up for people to join Jackie for a literary society it seemed to draw out the misfits - Mrs. Baily White (recently paroled from prison for murdering her husband), Robbie Lee (a gay man still in the closet), Miss. Lansbury (the spinster librarian), Plain Jane (a mysterious older single woman), Priscilla (a black maid dreaming about going to college) and Dora (a divorcee working at the post office).  As they read and discuss books weekly they learn more about one another they bond together.

This was not a bad book but it was nothing special.  The plot has been done in other variations and some of the characters are a bit wooden. The one thing I really liked about the novel was the books that the group read and their thoughts on them. The Help is better book about race relations and The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a better book about relationships among women.
 
love,
kris


Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Review: Warrior Rift: Book 2

dear readers,


(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).


SECRET OF THE WOLF
(Warriors of the Rift: Book Two)
Written by Cynthia Garner 
genre: urban fantasy, suspense

4 STARS

Human victims are being attacked by werewolves and being turned which is against the law. Council liaison, Tori teams up with human detective Dante to investigate the attack in their sector. Soon Tori finds herself keeping a secret not only from Dante but the council. If she tells the truth or keeps the secret - either will lose her someone she loves.

A great follow up to Garner's first novel in the Warrior of the Rift series. We learn more about the rift and the warriors that have are on Earth.  Tori is a strong female character who is matched with a man who is an alpha but also soft and caring. I have rooted for Dante since the first book and am glad he did not pair up with Nix as Tori is the tough girl with a soft center and that is what he needs (especially after caring for his sister as he does).  I was also glad to see Tobias and Nix!


love,
kris

Review: Perfect Novel for this Time of Year

dear readers,

It is getting colder outside and it is the perfect time to stay in and snuggle with a book...or in this case an audio book.   A few weeks ago as the weather started to turn cooler and darker I found myself getting into bed a little earlier but not totally ready for sleep.  For nights like these audio books are perfect.  You can get under the warm covers shut your eyes and let someone take you away to another world...

CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR
(Friday Harbor: Book One)
Written by Lisa Kleypas
Read by Tanya Eby  

4 STARS

Since the death of her mother six-year-old Holly has not spoken.  Her mother Victoria has chosen her bachelor brother, Mark to take care of her daughter.  Mark knows nothing about taking care of children but he is all she has and has to do all he can for her.  He moves in with his brother Sam and together they try to give their niece her life back.

Holly meets Maggie a toy shop owner who has imagination and also has broken heart (as a recent widow). As Maggie starts to bring the Nolans back to life she comes to the conclusion that being with the Nolans could very well break her heart.

I'm also weary of contemporary romance -if there is no mystery- but I instantly fell in love with Friday Harbor and the Nolan brothers.  I like that while Maggie is a strong heroine she also has realistic fears and insecurities.  The end felt a bit rushed but I find that is more the nature of romance genre to tie things up.

love,
kris

Review: Go Away Book, um Sorry, I Mean Gone Girl

dear readers,

Gone Girl is a bestseller and has been optioned for a movie.

GONE GIRL
Written by Gillian Flynn
genre: mystery, suspense

1.5 STARS

 Nick and Amy meet, fall in love and on their fifth anniversary Amy has disappeared.  When Nick and Amy lose their jobs they leave New York for Nick's hometown to help with his ailing mother.  Nick and his twin, Go borrow the last of Amy's trustfund and set up a bar in order to earn some income.  Amy remains unemployed and unfulfilled and as the novel enfolds we learn just who Amy and Nick really are and what happened to Amy. 

Amy, Nick, Go, and pretty much all the characters are quite unlikeable.  I fact the only one I liked was the cat, Bleeker and I'm so not a cat person.  The disappearance of Amy should have nudged my curiosity enough to finish the book but i found myself really pushing myself to flip the page.  Maybe it is all the true crime shows I watch but I found the plot a bit predictable.  I made it to the end hoping for a ending that would make it all worthwhile but the joy I received was that I could stop forcing myself to read it.

love,
kris

REVIEW: Don't Disappear for Rick Mofina's New Novel

dear readers,


(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).



THEY DISAPPEARED

standalone
Written by Rick Mofina

genre: mystery, suspense

4 STARS

As Jeff's marriage hangs in the balance after a family tragedy he and his wife decide to treat their son to a dream trip to New York City.  On their first outing his wife and son vanish while he goes to a shop to buy batteries.  At first the police do not believe Jeff and soon become suspicious of the mechanic from Montana who was having troubles with his wife.  As Jeff tries to race around New York to save his family he comes to realize he wants to save more than just their lives.

If you are looking for a quick fast pace ride this is the novel for you.  It feels like an episode from the first half of Law&Order as you follow the twists and turns.  While the general storyline has been done a few times the plot has you turning the pages.

love,
kris

Friday, 5 October 2012

The Line Between Here and Bored - Book Review

dear readers,

THE LINE BETWEEN HERE AND GONE
(Forensic Instincts: Book Two)
Written by Andrea Kane
genre: mystery, suspense, 


3.5 STARS

Amanda Gleason's infant son, Justin has a rare immune deficiency that only one person seems to have a cure for...his late father. Paul was murdered before Amanda even had a chance to tell him she was pregnant. Just when time seems to running out a friend sends her a photo that shows a man who looks a lot like Paul. Amanda wonders if Paul may be alive. If he is he could save his son's life. A desperate mother falls at the mercy of Forensic Instinct - A behaviorist. A former navy SEAL. A techno-wizard. An intuitive. A retired FBI agent. A human-scent-evidence dog - to not only do the impossible but in the shortest amount of time.

The Good: I was absorbed into this novel from the beginning as Kane makes you feel invested not only in saving Justin's life but figuring out why/how Paul vanished IF he wasn't really murdered. Each of the characters has a niche and also interact with one another differently which makes you interested in the investigators as well as the investigation.
The Bad: Some parts were dragged out a bit so that when the reveals come you already are ahead of them.

Overall I would recommend the read but not a Kane favourite.

READ the 1st book in the series when FORENSIC INSTINCTS takes on their first case...

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice
(Forensic Instincts: Book Two)
Written by Andrea Kane
genre: mystery, suspense

3.5 Stars

"If she'd only turned her head, she would have seen the car containing her daughter, struggling to escape her kidnapper. Despite years determining the fates of families, family court judge Hope Willis couldn't save her own. Now she's grasping at any hope for Krissy's rescue. She calls Casey Woods and her team of investigators, Forensic Instincts. A behaviorist. A techno-wizard. An intuitive. A former Navy SEAL. Unconventional operatives. All with unique talents and reasons for joining Casey's group. Able to accurately read people after the briefest encounter, Casey picks up signs of a nervous spouse, a guilty conscience, a nanny that hides on her cell. She watches as secrets creep into the open. But time is running out, and the authorities are bound by the legal system. Not Casey's team. For they know that the difference between Krissy coming back alive and disappearing forever could be as small as a suspect's rapid breathing, or as deep as Hope's dark family history." (From Amazon)
I really enjoyed the first novel in the Forensic Instinct series.  While I figured out who kidnapped Krissy it was still an exciting read especially to figure out who kidnapped Felicity.  It is a fast paced read that leaves you a bit breathless until the end.  Casey Woods is a great heroine that is what you expect in an investigator from the 1940s!

love,
kris

Mystery Novellas: Reviews

dear readers,

My first time reading novellas from two of my favourite suspense authors...


SNATCHED
(Book 5.5 - Novella)
Written by Karin Slaughter
genre: mystery, thriller, suspense

4 STARS

Will Trent is on a sting operation when he spots something amiss between a little girl and man.  Thinking that this could be an abduction Will goes with his instinct and runs after the man.  As he chases him through the airport Will calls in help from Atlanta Team.

I really liked this novella - and not just because of Will Trent but - because there was so much Slaughter's action packed into this small prose.  I, of course, wanted more but felt that the story came to a good ending.
Will Trent
1. Triptych (2006)
2. Fractured (2008)
3. Genesis (2009)
aka Undone
4. Broken (2010)
5. Fallen (2011)
6. Snatched (2012)
7. Criminal (2012) - I will be reading this one later this month!
TriptychFracturedGenesisBroken
FallenSnatchedCriminal
*covers are from the UK

CLOUDED VISION 
Novella
Written by Linwood Barclay
genre: mystery, suspense

3 STARS

Ellie Garfield, wife and mother of a pregnant girl, has not returned home and her family is worried.  Wendell and Melissa take to the air begging for their mother/wife's return. Enter Keisha Ceylon psychic or con artist tries to beat Winonna (another psychic) to the Garfield home to help locate Ellie.  What Keisha, Wendell and Melissa don't know in this case might just hurt them!

A fun short story BUT I wanted more.  A great story for those who like a good suspense/mystery.  It actually reminded me of an episode of Dateline Mysteries - where you just get the bare bones of the case.

love,
kris