Primed by Eric J. Gates

May25

Primed is the sequel to Outsourced. Perhaps you remember, Outsourced as the book I read last year that had me so caught up in it’s dramatic conclusion that I didn’t get out of bed in time to brush my teeth before my friend came to visit. (True story.)

But I’ve learned my lesson. When I started nearing the end of Primed I made sure I was ready for bed with nothing to lose but sleep. And a good thing, because twists started twisting and cliff hangers started hanging and things got exciting. Which is saying something because things, involving two writers, a DIA agent, a homicide detective, a mysterious device and the Russian mob start out fairly exciting even before the twists start twisting and the turns start turning!

Also, I’m tired now.

Would I recommend it? If high octane mysteries are your style, check these books out. Just be sure to start with Outsourced and clear your calendar!

The Black Orchid By Celine Jeanjean

Apr27

Reviewing a sequel is always a little bit challenging. I’ve begun to think of it as advice on if it’s worth it to start reading the first book of the series.

In this case the answer is yes.

You’ve got to start with The Bloodless Assassin (previously title The Viper and the Urchin) where you will meet the assassin that reminds me of Eyore and the street urchin who teams up with him.

And then, for sure, you’ve got to continue on to The Black Orchid.

Hands down my favorite part of these books is the characters. In the first book it was the witty dialogue between the two. In this sequel the focus shifted away from the dialogue (don’t worry it was all still fun and fantastic) and onto some major character development. I won’t spoil anything with details but let’s just say things have changed quite a bit and watching the two main characters adjust to their new position in life is to watch some great writing at work!

Would I recommend it? Yup. Yup. Yup! Just don’t forget you need to start with The Bloodless Assassin to make the story even more enjoyable! And then please keep reading because I think this one might be even better than the first!

Rosie's Book Review team 1

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley and Book at the Door Winner

Apr20

This month’s Book at the Door winner is… I won a Book at the Door with Behind the Willows

… Jenny from Life with Three Boys and a Splash of Purple!

Jenny correctly identified the first line of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and will get a copy of the book and the first line art mailed to her!

I still highly recommend you find your own copy of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.

While the book starts out dire…

“It was as black in the closet as old blood. “

…it quickly becomes apparent that the eleven year old girl locked in the closet has been stuffed there by her sisters.

Flavia is no ordinary eleven year old though. No, she’s a grand chemist with a passion for poisons and when she’s not conducting experiments she’s busy solving murders and harassing adults with her precociousness.

Would I recommend it? Of course! I’d also recommend that you then look for the next one in the series. There are seven adventures with Flavia published (with an eighth to come out later this year) and I have loved them all!

Book at the Door winner was chosen using a random number generator from http://www.random.org

Artists of all kinds (Yes, you photographers and you who says you can’t draw and you who just wants to practice hand lettering and you who is selling paintings online and…all of you!) if you are interested in providing a small piece of work that includes a first sentence I would love to hear from you!

Authors, have I read your book and tagged it as a recommended read? Would you like to donate a hard copy? Let me know!

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Mar3

Hi, Honey!

So, don’t be mad but I really feel like the best way to tell, you know, all the people, how good these books are involves you. And by involves you, I really mean me telling you the thing I try not to say too often to the man who is the most wonderful husband ever.

You see, I know that I was a bit girly about the love I had for the completely awesome female assassin main character when I tried to push the book on you. I can see now that perhaps that wasn’t quite the right track to take with you. I could have mentioned more of the plot, or a few of the fairly awesome male characters. Probably I should have told you that thing about the beautiful witches with their iron teeth and nails and how they just “play” with men before, you know, eating them (unless, of course, they are just out killing for fun). And how by the end of the books you won’t hate them and how I think that’s pretty indicative of some amazing writing.

But I didn’t.

I just kept telling you that you were going to love it and badgered you until you finally started reading the first one. Then, of course, I’m sure you remember how I annoyed you until you read it faster so you could get to the amazing parts. That was foolish of me. I’m sorry. But, not even, when you went to the library in another town to pick up book three because you’d be able to get your hands on it sooner did I actually say “I told you so!” like I totally could have.

So sorry, for telling, you know, all the people, about all that. But I want them to believe me (or, really, it’d be believing us now right?) about how great these books are and how they should definitely read them!

Thanks for your help!

Love you!

Would I recommend them? Yes! (And I think John might too, if he’s still speaking to me after this…)

Escape from Witchwood Hollow by Jordan Elizabeth

Feb25

I sit with the sleeves of my stained, maroon sweatshirt pushed up so the holes in the cuffs don’t catch on my thumbs and interfere with my typing. My pants, though rivaling the age of my youngest daughter, must be eight years younger than their counterpart but without holes or stains to create a matched set. Nor do they have a shape or distinguishing feature of their own. Just baggy black pants that swish round my ankle as my barefoot swings under the table.

I’d be lying to you if I said this was just my blogging outfit.

That’s right, I went out into public in this fantastic get up.

Twice.

Today.

So, it’s a bit surprising to me that in thinking back on this book, so much of my memory revolves around clothes – and I liked it.

Perhaps I liked it because of those snap judgments we make on the people around us based on their clothes. Don’t worry, I’m not looking for reflections on my own appearance (though I bet you’ve got opinions now, and if shopping hater and cheapskate were on your list you’ve got me at least partially pegged). This book, littered with clothing descriptions, instantly rounds out the characters as they are introduced.

Maybe it’s that in a book that draws characters from multiple time periods, clothing differences were an important distinguisher.

Or, maybe, it’s just that I like a unique witch-y mystery, and the main character happened to like fashion.

Would I recommend it? Yes. Young adult fans, this is nicely written and it’s got just the right amount of spookiness in it for those of you who are horror wimps like me. You can trust me on this. I have way better taste in books than clothes!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Love Unfeigned by Nadine C. Keels

Feb10

Sweet is an overused word.

Perhaps it’s because I’m the mother of three young and adorable girls that I hear, “Oh, that’s so sweet!” on a fairly regular basis.

Maybe it’s just because I’ve heard it too often in reference to obnoxious behavior my adorable girls are exhibiting that now 97% of the time when I hear someone call something sweet I throw up a bit in my mouth.

Sweet has fallen far down on my list of favorite words in the last decade.

This is a problem because there is nothing that describes 97% of this love story better than sweet. Sometimes poignantly sweet, sometimes bittersweet but always with a constant tug on the heart that leaves you with an aching chest and a small smile.

Would I recommend it? Brace yourself, I’m gonna say it.

“You should read this, it’s just – so sweet!”

And a book that can cause me to say that is definitely worth a read. Rosie's Book Review team 1

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

The Bad Girl by L. Donsky-Levine

Jan27

This was hard to read.

I wanted more.

It was a conundrum.

You see, as hard as it was to read about a girl attempting to pull herself out of some of life’s most horrible situations, I still wanted to know more about her. This book, a novella really, is complete and full, it doesn’t technically need more. But that’s not stopping me from wanting it to have more.

The jumps in time throughout the story left me, not disoriented, but sad. I wanted to know how she’d been getting along when we weren’t a party to it. I wanted more chapters by the cat, (One of the best cat point of views ever!). I just wanted… more.

Would I recommend it? Ehh… Umm… Er… It was good, in a dark, gritty, shocking sort of way. But along with the grit is a measure of hope, love, a portrait of New York City in the 70’s and an awful lot things to mull over when you’ve put the book down. I’m glad I read it but I wouldn’t hand it to you until after we had chatted about it for a bit. Rosie's Book Review team 1

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I discovered this book because I’m a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team!

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Sep9

I fell in love with this book.

I had grand plans for a review that would talk about magic and fantasy and why you shouldn’t flinch from a book that includes either one. I was going to link to an awesome post (Thoughts on Pratchett) and it was going to be epic and amazing.

But then, instead of sitting down and writing all that, I spent my time telling people about it. Solicited and unsolicited, at family gatherings and in e-mails at foolish times of the night I told everyone the same thing.

There is magic in this book, but just the perfect amount. The amount that brings extra vividness to a story about family. It’s beautiful writing and you’ve got to read it.

And, really, that’s all that needs to be said.

Would I recommend it? Yes! (And then I’d recommend First Frost and The Sugar Queen and possibly the rest of her books. I’m not quite sure yet as I haven’t finished reading them all but I have a feeling they are going to be excellent!)

Eli’s Coming by Darcia Helle

Jul22

The best aspect of this book was it’s compelling realism. The characters followed up plot twists with reasonably legitimate actions and…

OK.

Fine.

It’s possible that the Native American Tribe with the inherited powers that allow them to manipulate people’s energy isn’t totally normal. But it’s set up so well! And this is a supernatural suspense sort of book, so you’ve got to have something.

But in this book there is life beyond the supernatural suspense, you know, strangely like real life.

When the non-powered girl falls for the mysterious, handsome man (who, of course, has powers), yes she becomes involved in the plot line. She’s important to the story but the book does not revolve wholly around her and that was a refreshing bit of sensible writing!

Would I recommend it? If supernatural suspense is your thing, absolutely!

If you love a good suspenseful book and are willing to go along with some supernatural energy manipulating powers for the sake of the excellent characters, pick this book up!

If you hate “weird stuff” and prefer not to read while holding your breath and can’t stand a bit of bloody murder even when it’s really well written, then this one might not be for you.

As for me, I saw this was subtitled “Chasing The Night – Book 1” and there’s nothing I like better than a new series to follow!

This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.