Janet Evanovich scores another homerun with Sizzling Sixteen. I love love love this book, and love love love this series! Another laugh out loud adventure for Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter.
In this 16th edition of the Stephanie Plum series, Stephanie must get her boss (and cousin) Vinnie out of trouble. He has run up some not so legal debt with some very scary people. They have kidnapped him and are threatening to kill him unless Stephanie and her crew can raise the money that he owes. Stephanie and her friends jump into action to rescue Vinnie. Along the way she has to capture skips, help her Grandma, and deal with two very sexy men who both want the same thing, and of course she destroys another car.
This book had me laughing out loud and reading segments to whomever would listen. I highly recommend this book and this series. Only trouble is...have to wait another year for the next Plum adventure!
Happy Reading!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Taking
The Taking is a supernatural thriller by Dean Koontz. A strange rain begins to fall overnight in a small town. As the evening progresses, the rain gets heavier, the animals begin to act strangely and the people in the town realize that the world is being taken over. Figuring out by whom and how to defend themselves becomes top priority.
The storyline was a little slow to start for me, and then Koontz's love of alliteration and description started to get on my nerves. But I stuck it out because I wanted to see what would happen. I am glad that I did. I got over the alliteration fascination and the over descriptive prose and the story was worth it. The main characters are likeable and the story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, and wanting to find out more.
This was not an overly scary Koontz novel. Some of his works will really scare me and can't be read after dark or when alone. This one was a suspenseful thriller without being so realistic that it became scary. I enjoyed the underlying moral lesson at the end of the book as well. That was a different spin for Koontz and one I found surprising. Not my favorite Koontz book but if you are a Koontz fan, then I recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
The storyline was a little slow to start for me, and then Koontz's love of alliteration and description started to get on my nerves. But I stuck it out because I wanted to see what would happen. I am glad that I did. I got over the alliteration fascination and the over descriptive prose and the story was worth it. The main characters are likeable and the story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, and wanting to find out more.
This was not an overly scary Koontz novel. Some of his works will really scare me and can't be read after dark or when alone. This one was a suspenseful thriller without being so realistic that it became scary. I enjoyed the underlying moral lesson at the end of the book as well. That was a different spin for Koontz and one I found surprising. Not my favorite Koontz book but if you are a Koontz fan, then I recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Sundays at Tiffany's
James Patterson does not disappoint with his sweet, emotional novel, Sundays at Tiffany's. In the same category as Sam's Letters to Jennifer and A Diary for Nicholas, this novel is a world away from his suspenseful thrillers but no less engaging.
Jane Margeaux is an innocent eight year old whose parents are divorced. Her father is not in her life very much and her mother is too busy with career, boyfriends and being famous to be much of a mother. So, she has Michael, her imaginary friend, to keep her company. But when Jane turns nine, Michael has to leave her. "Those are the rules", he says. Advance more than 20 years...Jane has a promising career, working for her mother, not much of a romantic life, and fond memories of her imaginary friend. She is still a sweet, kind person who gets walked on by the prominent figures in her life. Enter Micheal again. He is in between assignments, happens to be in New York and sees Jane. He fondly remembers his friend and is stunned to see her all grown up.
The rest of the story, makes up a wonderful novel that brings out the kid in the reader. As we watch Jane take hold of her life, with the confidence that Michael gives her, and hope against odds that they find a way to maintain contact, a wonderful story unfolds that completely enraptured me. Yes, you must suspend reality when you read this book. But isn't that what reading a great novel allows us to do anyway? I highly recommend this one. A great, fast, heartwarming, exciting read. Loved this book!
Happy Reading!
Jane Margeaux is an innocent eight year old whose parents are divorced. Her father is not in her life very much and her mother is too busy with career, boyfriends and being famous to be much of a mother. So, she has Michael, her imaginary friend, to keep her company. But when Jane turns nine, Michael has to leave her. "Those are the rules", he says. Advance more than 20 years...Jane has a promising career, working for her mother, not much of a romantic life, and fond memories of her imaginary friend. She is still a sweet, kind person who gets walked on by the prominent figures in her life. Enter Micheal again. He is in between assignments, happens to be in New York and sees Jane. He fondly remembers his friend and is stunned to see her all grown up.
The rest of the story, makes up a wonderful novel that brings out the kid in the reader. As we watch Jane take hold of her life, with the confidence that Michael gives her, and hope against odds that they find a way to maintain contact, a wonderful story unfolds that completely enraptured me. Yes, you must suspend reality when you read this book. But isn't that what reading a great novel allows us to do anyway? I highly recommend this one. A great, fast, heartwarming, exciting read. Loved this book!
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
3 Willows
3 Willows is a young adult novel from Ann Brashares, the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. This appears to be the beginning of a new series (on the cover it says "the sisterhood grows"). This book was a little slow to grab my attention, but ended up being okay.
The story is centered around three girls who are leaving middle school and entering high school. They are trying to grow up a bit over the summer and prepare for the new world of high school. Their friendship is faltering and when they spend the summer apart, it appears that they will be moving on separately. The three of them face different struggles, from divorcing parents, to facing fears, to an alcoholic mother. They each learn that they are stronger than they thought, and that the bonds of friendship are not so easily broken.
This book is loosely tied to the Traveling Pants books. The characters from the Traveling Pants series are mentioned, as these girls go to the same school. The previous sisterhood is a legend. One of the characters babysits a Traveling Pants characters younger brother & sister. Another character is a member of a family that was mentioned as a local tragedy during the Traveling Pants series. The younger sister of one of the Traveling Pants girls plays a minor role in this book, as well.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you read the Traveling Pants series and enjoyed it. As I mentioned, the book started kind of slow for me. It is certainly not on the same level as its predecessor. It is enjoyable, but will not stay with me long or be on the list of my favorites from this year.
Happy Reading!
The story is centered around three girls who are leaving middle school and entering high school. They are trying to grow up a bit over the summer and prepare for the new world of high school. Their friendship is faltering and when they spend the summer apart, it appears that they will be moving on separately. The three of them face different struggles, from divorcing parents, to facing fears, to an alcoholic mother. They each learn that they are stronger than they thought, and that the bonds of friendship are not so easily broken.
This book is loosely tied to the Traveling Pants books. The characters from the Traveling Pants series are mentioned, as these girls go to the same school. The previous sisterhood is a legend. One of the characters babysits a Traveling Pants characters younger brother & sister. Another character is a member of a family that was mentioned as a local tragedy during the Traveling Pants series. The younger sister of one of the Traveling Pants girls plays a minor role in this book, as well.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you read the Traveling Pants series and enjoyed it. As I mentioned, the book started kind of slow for me. It is certainly not on the same level as its predecessor. It is enjoyable, but will not stay with me long or be on the list of my favorites from this year.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Summons
The Summons by John Grisham does not disappoint. His books rarely do. I only read Grisham every so often and every time I do, I wonder why it has been so long since I have.
This is another of his legal dramas, but not so much in the courtroom. This novel is about a law professor whose father has called him back home for a meeting regarding his affairs. His father is dying. He was a prominent judge in a small town, a place where the law professor would rather not revisit. The visit reconnects him with his brother as they settle the old man's estate, and sets him on the hunt to find answers to a mystery surrounding his father.
This book was a fast read with enough mystery and twists that it was a page turner. I was once again taken in by John Grisham and his flawed but likeable characters and interesting plot. The man has a gift; there is a reason he writes bestsellers.
Happy Reading!
This is another of his legal dramas, but not so much in the courtroom. This novel is about a law professor whose father has called him back home for a meeting regarding his affairs. His father is dying. He was a prominent judge in a small town, a place where the law professor would rather not revisit. The visit reconnects him with his brother as they settle the old man's estate, and sets him on the hunt to find answers to a mystery surrounding his father.
This book was a fast read with enough mystery and twists that it was a page turner. I was once again taken in by John Grisham and his flawed but likeable characters and interesting plot. The man has a gift; there is a reason he writes bestsellers.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Bride Quartet (Vision in White, Bed of Roses, Savor the Moment)
The first three books in the Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts were highly entertaining. Vision in White, Bed of Roses, and Savor the Moment are pure fluff romance. But for escapist reading they rank high in my book!
The series is about four women who have been lifelong friends. They have created a wedding planning business that is very successful. Each of them remains single. In the first book, Vision in White, the photographer of the business finds love with a professor. In the second, Bed of Roses, the florist finder her soul mate. In the third, Savor the Moment, the cake baker/decorator finally unites with her true love. The fourth book in the quartet is due out in November 2010.
As I said, these books are pure fluff. The setting is too perfect; the four women live together on a large estate where they also conduct their business. The characters, while flawed, are also near perfection. But they are likable, all of them, even the secondary characters. This is escapist fiction at it's best. Very fast reads, no brain power required, however Ms. Roberts pays enough attention to the detail in her books that the reader does not feel insulted. If you are looking for a quick, feel good, read, this is your series.
Happy Reading!
The series is about four women who have been lifelong friends. They have created a wedding planning business that is very successful. Each of them remains single. In the first book, Vision in White, the photographer of the business finds love with a professor. In the second, Bed of Roses, the florist finder her soul mate. In the third, Savor the Moment, the cake baker/decorator finally unites with her true love. The fourth book in the quartet is due out in November 2010.
As I said, these books are pure fluff. The setting is too perfect; the four women live together on a large estate where they also conduct their business. The characters, while flawed, are also near perfection. But they are likable, all of them, even the secondary characters. This is escapist fiction at it's best. Very fast reads, no brain power required, however Ms. Roberts pays enough attention to the detail in her books that the reader does not feel insulted. If you are looking for a quick, feel good, read, this is your series.
Happy Reading!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Vinegar Hill
A. Manette Ansay’s Vinegar Hill is a gripping novel. It is a tale of sorrow, pain, anger, revenge, duty, courage and ultimately, love. It is at times disgusting and heart breaking, but it is also triumphant.
The story takes place in 1972. Ellen and James have two children and a normal life, until James loses his job. Ellen is a teacher, but her salary is not enough to support the family so they move back to the small town where James and Ellen both grew up, and in with James’ parents. James’ parents are very set in their ways, extremely religious, not used to having children around and not loving. In fact, they can be down right mean. His mother is frail and unable to do even the simplest task around the house once Ellen moves in. So now, in addition to being the only one who works, she also has to do all of the cooking, cleaning and caring for the children. James suffers from depression and even after he finds a job is not sure how to fit in with the family dynamic.
Living under these circumstances would be difficult for any couple. For James and Ellen, whose marriage was not on firm foundation before, it is destructive. Everyone pays the price of the living situation, but most of all the two children. Their oldest, a girl named Amy, begins to resent and blame her mother. The youngest, a boy named Herbert, is terrified all of the time. James’ parents are huge hypocrites, both in their religious beliefs and their everyday behavior, and judging James and Ellen on their child rearing; his father is violent. The situation is a recipe for disaster. Ellen knows it and somehow has to keep her family together, or decide to move on. But the pressures are getting to her, too, her mental stability falters and she turns to pharmaceuticals to get through the day.
This novel was depressing at times, but I believe that in the end there is triumph. It is written in chapters that show different characters perspectives, and is sort of a stream of consciousness. For each adult character, there is a time when the reader feels sympathetic to their situation. Then in the next paragraph or chapter that sympathy is ripped away. The text jumps from the present situation to a past situation and back again so quickly that I was left re-reading to make sure I understood what was happening. I am glad that I read this book, but would caution the reader that this is not really a “feel good” read. I think it would be excellent for a book club choice, because there are many character choices that could be the basis for intense discussion.
Happy Reading!
The story takes place in 1972. Ellen and James have two children and a normal life, until James loses his job. Ellen is a teacher, but her salary is not enough to support the family so they move back to the small town where James and Ellen both grew up, and in with James’ parents. James’ parents are very set in their ways, extremely religious, not used to having children around and not loving. In fact, they can be down right mean. His mother is frail and unable to do even the simplest task around the house once Ellen moves in. So now, in addition to being the only one who works, she also has to do all of the cooking, cleaning and caring for the children. James suffers from depression and even after he finds a job is not sure how to fit in with the family dynamic.
Living under these circumstances would be difficult for any couple. For James and Ellen, whose marriage was not on firm foundation before, it is destructive. Everyone pays the price of the living situation, but most of all the two children. Their oldest, a girl named Amy, begins to resent and blame her mother. The youngest, a boy named Herbert, is terrified all of the time. James’ parents are huge hypocrites, both in their religious beliefs and their everyday behavior, and judging James and Ellen on their child rearing; his father is violent. The situation is a recipe for disaster. Ellen knows it and somehow has to keep her family together, or decide to move on. But the pressures are getting to her, too, her mental stability falters and she turns to pharmaceuticals to get through the day.
This novel was depressing at times, but I believe that in the end there is triumph. It is written in chapters that show different characters perspectives, and is sort of a stream of consciousness. For each adult character, there is a time when the reader feels sympathetic to their situation. Then in the next paragraph or chapter that sympathy is ripped away. The text jumps from the present situation to a past situation and back again so quickly that I was left re-reading to make sure I understood what was happening. I am glad that I read this book, but would caution the reader that this is not really a “feel good” read. I think it would be excellent for a book club choice, because there are many character choices that could be the basis for intense discussion.
Happy Reading!
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