My recent favorite books: Origami Owl Custom Jewelry - Review and Giveaway

My recent favorite books: Origami Owl Custom Jewelry - Review and Giveaway

There is no doubt for me that it would be the starfish.  I collect them and absolutely love it.

BREAK ~ ALEXANDRA LANC

 

 

I have to start this by saying that I am hit or miss with short stories.  The reason why is because I never feel like I get enough of the story to fill my curiosity.  That being said, I did enjoy the premise of this book and it definitely has captured my interest.  I am curious to read more about Shade and the new world.  This story is set in the post-apocalyptic world and the question is, is the end near?

 

I will definitely continue on with the series and I'm sure it will be enjoyable once there is more substance to the book itself.

 

I am a huge fan of Alexandra Lanc and absolutely adore her Clara Claus series, so this will in no way detract me from reading more of her work.

 

For the reasons above (plus a few typos that detracted from the story), I am giving the book 3.75 stars but rating it 4 stars.

 



ASTRAY ~ EMMA DONOHUE

This book is composed of short stories, starting with a Zookeeper and his Elephant "Jumbo" and ending with two artists living in a home in Canada.  While these stories are based on facts and written to the authors imagination, each story has it's own flair and local color.

I am not a big fan of short stories, but having loved Room, I really wanted to like this book.  I found it was definitely not my cup of tea.  I even had trouble giving it a star rating and found my mind drifting and almost not caring what happened.  The redeeming quality for me was the historical information at the end of each story detailing what the story was based on.

2 stars

THE LAST REFUGE ~ BEN COES

Kohl Meir (Golda Meir's grandson) is abducted on American soil tortured and put in front of a firing squid. Iran has nuclear capabilities and they are targeting Tel Aviv.  Ex Delta force Dewey Andreas is back.  All of the characters that I have come to love in the series are back.

After President Allaire has a stroke, there is an adjustment period for the White House.  Jessica is kept in the dark for the most part while Calibrisi orchestrates Dewey's exploits to rescue Meir  since he previously saved Dewey's life.  All of this is done with the consent of the President of the United States.

This action packed political thriller hit the mark for me.  I really enjoyed the book and anticipate the next book that Coes writes.  There is enough action and the characters are easily identifiable.  I loved the addition of Tacoma and Foxx and hope they are part of future books.

5 stars

GHOSTWRITER ~ Lissa Bryan

For Sara Howell who loses her job and her boyfriend, finances being low, she moves to a remote island and works as a ghostwriter for a politician.  The isolated house she moves into is the home a famous writer and one that Sara loved.

Sara and Seth strike up a friendship and she finds a trunk of his letters and through them she discovers what has happened to him.  They strike up a friendship and together they begin to uncover the truth of what happened to him and to make an attempt to make thing right.  All the while his family has been living off his wealth and greed, making Seth angry.

Will Sarah and Seth fall in love and will Sara learn the truth of what happened?

This book was 3.5 stars for me.  Unfortunately I did not connect with some of the characters, but have heard wonderful things about this author and will definitely read more of her books.

GIVEAWAY

http://www.iamareader.com/2013/03/kindle-fire-giveaway-sign-ups-joint-author-blogger-giveaway.html

IF YOU HEAR HER ~ SHILOH WALKER

In the small town of Ash, a phone call sets off a series of events. 

The cast of characters in this book are so likeable.  The author did a fabulous job of making us love the characters we should and hate the characters that are evil.

Ezra King meets Lena and they hit it off, but Ezra backs off until he sees Lena at the police station.
 
Law is a character in and of himself.  I am so surprised that the small town has not figured out what he does and things he is an odd duck.

The introduction of Hope to the small town has brought out a more likeable Law.

Remy makes me uncertain as he seems a little wishy washy with his feelings.

The police in the town don't seem like they could solve a problem if it bit them in the face.  The people in the town need a reality check and should not accuse people before they are given the facts and there is evidence.

The book ended and I was like..........what..........I had to keep paging to see if I missed something.  Nothing was resolved and we still don't know who the bad guy is, so I need to read the next book to see where it is going.

4 stars

EMBATTLED MINDS ~ J.M. MADDEN

I'm definitely looking forward to this book, after having read and loved the first two books:

MRS. LINCOLN'S DRESSMAKER

I thought that this book dragged on a bit for me.  I found the beginning of the book interesting and then it fell on it's face after the death of Mr. Lincoln.  It is funny how until I read a book like this I forget how much history I have forgotten and I feel like I'm back in high school with all the historical facts.

The beginning of the book wherein Elizabeth described being a slave, purchasing her freedom and becoming a dressmaker were interesting.  The development of her relationship to Mrs. Lincoln and being her dressmaker and confidant was even interesting, but after the death of Mr. Lincoln, the story started declining for me and I found my mind wondering instead of concentrating on the book.
I've heard great things about this author, but for me, this particular book was just okay.

3 stars

COME TO ME QUIETLY ~ A.L. JACKSON

http://aljacksonbooks.blogspot.com/

This is a "must read" author and I couldn't be happier that she has another book coming out!

APRIL 2013 ~ BOOKS READ

 

 

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from the author.  I jumped at the chance because I love her writing style.

 

This was the story of Louise Palmer.  Having had a very insecure childhood and having found stability in Clay, her husband, she is happy to live the rest of her life in Westfield, NJ among her friends.  A letter from Florida upturns Louise's life and she fights it tooth and nail, scheming the entire time.  This is a book of love, friendship and new beginnings.  It is written in Bette Lee Crosby's usual Southern Flair and tugged at my heartstrings.

 

I really enjoyed this book.  Bette Lee Crosby is another of my "must read" authors.

 

4.5 stars

 

 

In the second Mickey Bolitar book we see more action, adventure and friendships forming.  We are treated to some details and learn more about the characters.  The narrator for this series (I listed to the audio book) is outstanding and made listening very enjoyable for me.

The adventures for Mickey continue.  We are still left with questions and these books remind me a polished and, more mature and up-to-date Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys books that I so enjoyed reading.  The character development is great.  I'm kind of hoping that Coben brings Win or Esperenza into this series because that would just make it that much better.

Mickey continues to find out more about the Abeona Shelter and he and his friends search for the truth about a death and what is going on.  The recurring characters are wonderful and the story just makes you want to find out more.  There was a little bit of healing with Mickey's relationship with Myron and I hope that in future books we will get to delve more into their relationship.  When things start to get bad for Mickey and his friends, Mickey thinks of their safety.

I love this series and am anxious for the next book.

4.5 stars