Weddings Can Be Murder by Christie Craig is a simple, cheesy romance that is disguised as a mystery. It was a "Free Fridays" selection for my nook, which is why I read it. I am glad that it was free.
The main character in this book is planning her wedding. When her wedding planner is murdered, while she is there, she and a PI are thrown together to try to solve the mystery of who killed the wedding planner. The characters are one dimensional, the plot is weak, the situations used to throw these two characters together are unbelievable, and the research into the background of any of it is non-existent. I guess that is what one should expect out of a simple romance novel. It was supposed to be funny, but I didn't find it so.
Every once in a while, I am in the mood for a romance, total escapism literature (if it can be called that); a book that does not require my brain to work while reading. This fit that bill, but was unsatisfying none the less.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Missing Pieces
Missing Pieces by Joy Fielding is a psychological suspense novel about how far a mother will go to protect her family. This book was a page turner, full of suspense and I could identify with the main character. It was a fast paced, quick and enjoyable read.
Kate Sinclair is a family therapist. But what does a family therapist do when her own family starts to fall apart? Kate has a teenage daughter who is turning into a monster, a husband who instead of helping with the kids when tensions rise, removes himself further into his golf game, a sister who makes one bad choice after another and a mother who is in failing health. She has to handle it all on top of her career. When her sister decides that she is going to marry a convicted serial killer, Kate's family is in real peril.
I immediately identified with Kate, and found it refreshing to read about a middle aged woman facing the issues of raising her family and helping her ailing mother. This book was suspenseful, but at the same time it carried a message about the resiliency of family and specifically the strength that one mother/wife/sister/daughter found within herself to overcome the difficulties and dangers she faced. The reader watches her struggle to make the best decisions, to not walk down the easier path, and to do everything in her power to pull her family back together. The characters were well developed and it truly was a page turner that keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of her seat.
I would recommend this book to those who like thrillers, but also to those who don't because I don't think you have to enjoy that genre to enjoy this book. I think anyone who thinks thrillers are not her cup of tea would be surprised by this book. An satisfying read all the way around.
Happy Reading!
Kate Sinclair is a family therapist. But what does a family therapist do when her own family starts to fall apart? Kate has a teenage daughter who is turning into a monster, a husband who instead of helping with the kids when tensions rise, removes himself further into his golf game, a sister who makes one bad choice after another and a mother who is in failing health. She has to handle it all on top of her career. When her sister decides that she is going to marry a convicted serial killer, Kate's family is in real peril.
I immediately identified with Kate, and found it refreshing to read about a middle aged woman facing the issues of raising her family and helping her ailing mother. This book was suspenseful, but at the same time it carried a message about the resiliency of family and specifically the strength that one mother/wife/sister/daughter found within herself to overcome the difficulties and dangers she faced. The reader watches her struggle to make the best decisions, to not walk down the easier path, and to do everything in her power to pull her family back together. The characters were well developed and it truly was a page turner that keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of her seat.
I would recommend this book to those who like thrillers, but also to those who don't because I don't think you have to enjoy that genre to enjoy this book. I think anyone who thinks thrillers are not her cup of tea would be surprised by this book. An satisfying read all the way around.
Happy Reading!
Millie's Fling
Millie's Fling was a silly romance by Jill Mansell. I had not read any other Jill Mansell books. After reading The Book Thief, I needed something light, escapist and silly. Millie's Fling was a "free Fridays" selection for my nook, and I thought it would fit the bill.
Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. It was simple, silly, fluffy, etc. But it didn't satisfy whatever it was that I was craving after the heavy tone of The Book Thief, but then again because I loved The Book Thief so much, maybe this book was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The book is about two girls who live together. One is in a long distance relationship, and misunderstandings ensue almost breaking the couple up. The other, Millie, has recently been dumped and swears off men. But then she finds a wallet, prank calls the owner and ends up meeting him and liking the guy. Of course, his wife died recently so he isn't interested in a romance. They hang out as friends and it turns into more. Misunderstandings ensue...You get the idea.
The characters were barely likable (the main characters lie on a regular basis), the plot was barely there, the dialogue was forced. The romance was okay, but this storyline has been done so many times before that if you are going to use it, you better make it new. And Mansell just didn't.
It was quick, it was easy. It was sold as being funny but really wasn't. If you like simple romances set in England, maybe this would be for you. I have not sworn off Jill Mansell, but don't know that I will ever seek out her books either.
Happy Reading!
Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. It was simple, silly, fluffy, etc. But it didn't satisfy whatever it was that I was craving after the heavy tone of The Book Thief, but then again because I loved The Book Thief so much, maybe this book was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The book is about two girls who live together. One is in a long distance relationship, and misunderstandings ensue almost breaking the couple up. The other, Millie, has recently been dumped and swears off men. But then she finds a wallet, prank calls the owner and ends up meeting him and liking the guy. Of course, his wife died recently so he isn't interested in a romance. They hang out as friends and it turns into more. Misunderstandings ensue...You get the idea.
The characters were barely likable (the main characters lie on a regular basis), the plot was barely there, the dialogue was forced. The romance was okay, but this storyline has been done so many times before that if you are going to use it, you better make it new. And Mansell just didn't.
It was quick, it was easy. It was sold as being funny but really wasn't. If you like simple romances set in England, maybe this would be for you. I have not sworn off Jill Mansell, but don't know that I will ever seek out her books either.
Happy Reading!
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