If forced to choose just one word to describe this story, I would choose "haunting". Part of me thought it was amazing and part of me felt betrayed. I...moreIf forced to choose just one word to describe this story, I would choose "haunting". Part of me thought it was amazing and part of me felt betrayed. I am a military wife. Air Force, not Marines. Still military. I am not sure if what I read was a story or social commentary/ cautionary tale. I think I need some time to sort out my feelings on this one before I actually "review" it. (less)
I have been a fan of the Solid series since the first chapter of the first book. The series has an interesting premise, the army conducted experiments...moreI have been a fan of the Solid series since the first chapter of the first book. The series has an interesting premise, the army conducted experiments on pregnant woman and the now teenage children born of those experiments are living on a military base and are each discovering what those experiments did to them. In this third installment in the series, the teens are faced with more uncertainty for their future. Will they stay at the base or return to their homes? Will the army ever learn exactly what has happened to them and if they do will they tell them?
I have to admit that this third book was a little bit quick for me. I wanted more because I have really come to love the characters. I really was not ready to let them go. It also seems that the army has made some series errors in judgement in who they let on base with those kids. It seems that their temporary home is no safer in this book than the previous two.
Still though, I did enjoy the story. I like Clio even though she is not perfect. She does have an inquisitive personality though and I like that about her. Of course there is more of Jack and the rest of the gang and I have really come to like them all as well. I really enjoyed the series overall and I hate that it is over already! I do recommend reading this series from the beginning because the trilogy as a whole is original and interesting. (less)
I have been reading this series since it first came out and I have never been disappointed. I actually think I like the books more and more as the ser...moreI have been reading this series since it first came out and I have never been disappointed. I actually think I like the books more and more as the series goes on. Perhaps that is because I have come to know the characters so well by now. I also think it is because the books are just so well written and never repetitive. Kitty really does some interesting things. I think that comes from letting her progress in a natural feeling way. What would happen to the first person to "come out" as a werewolf (even if they did not choose to)? I see Kitty's progress as being logical while still being fantastical. I love the juxtaposition.
This time up Kitty takes a trip to London. That makes her . . . (I just have to say it.) An American Werewolf in London. Ok, I'm sorry. It had to be done. I can move on now. In London she is taking part in a conference that brings together anyone interested in the supernatural world that is becoming more and more in the spotlight. She meets some interesting characters and I especially loved a Vampire with an interesting connection to a certain famous author (I won't say who so I don't spoil it). Along with the vampires and other things that go bump in the night, there are the fanatics that are opposed to anything "other" who have come out to protest the conference.
This book is a must read for any fan of the series already. I think it might not be the best place to start for someone new to the series though. The world is so vast and well done that you might feel that you are missing out if you haven't read other in the series yet. If you haven't read the series yet though, I do recommend it. It is still one of my favorites! (less)
This is the third in the Live Bergen series and it is my favorite so far! This one does pick up exactly where book 2 left off. I still think it is pos...moreThis is the third in the Live Bergen series and it is my favorite so far! This one does pick up exactly where book 2 left off. I still think it is possible to read this one without reading the others, but they are awesome so you should read them first! I really like that Liv is not the only strong female character in this story. I think writing women like that are a strong point for Sandra. Some times strong women characters come off with an edge that makes them unrealistic or un-relatable but that is not the case in Widow's Might.
This time around there is even more of the Bergen family. I have concluded that if I couldn't be a member of my own family, I think I would like to be a member of the Bergen family. They are so understanding and supportive of one another and still manage to seem realistic. Even though her female characters are strong and self reliant, her male characters are not made to suffer or become spineless jellyfish and I appreciate that.
Lastly, I have to say that even though I like the tension between Liv and Streeter, I would still love the books even without that aspect. I think that there is a pressure put on writers sometimes to add in sexual tension or worse, the love triangle! I am not saying that I never enjoy that but I am saying that some stories don't need it. I think that Sandra's mysteries are so well done that for me they are the focus and not the love interests. Even so, I can admit that Streeter is pretty awesome and we wouldn't want our Liv being lonely now would we?
BOTTOM LINE: My favorite in the series so far!(less)
One of my favorite books I have ever read. I will be handing this straight to my son to read next. Everything about it was truly amazing. Full review...moreOne of my favorite books I have ever read. I will be handing this straight to my son to read next. Everything about it was truly amazing. Full review soon. (less)
I loved the first book in the Liv Bergen series so I was excited to read the followup "Lot's Return to Sodom." I was not dissapointed! The events of t...moreI loved the first book in the Liv Bergen series so I was excited to read the followup "Lot's Return to Sodom." I was not dissapointed! The events of this book take place during the annual Sturgis Bike Rally. I really did not know much about the rally or that area of the country before so I enjoyed learning about both. It was interesting for me to read about the activities of some of the motorcycle gangs. I know from talking to Sandra that she did a lot of research on the gangs to get the events of the book to be in line with reality.
I really like Liv, she is such a strong female character. I have to admit that this time she really did a few things that I really did not understand. As the book went on though her actions (or lack thereof actually) were explained. She witnesses some really nasty gang activity and I wonder what I would have done in the same situation. There were a few times while reading the book that I thought I had it all figured out, I was WRONG! I love that! Nothing makes me more excited about a book than not being able to figure out "who-done-it?!"
If you missed out on the first book in the series I highly recommend it. You can certainly jump in with this one and not feel lost though. I feel confident in saying that Sandra Brannan is going on my "auto-buy" list! If she wrote it, I know I am going to enjoy reading it!
BOTTOM LINE: An excellent follow up to the first in the series!(less)
Oh, Lemon. You wonderful girl. I loved your story so much!
Lemon is the main character in Fingerprints of You by Kristen-Paige Madonia. She is a 17 yea...moreOh, Lemon. You wonderful girl. I loved your story so much!
Lemon is the main character in Fingerprints of You by Kristen-Paige Madonia. She is a 17 year old girl who has lived a somewhat disjointed life with Stella, her mother, moving her around her whole life. I felt really connected to Lemon. My mom was not really much like Stella but I did move around a lot and I had the same situations she did with making friends and then moving away to try and make new friends. More than that though, she is a girl really struggling to find her place in the world. She seems to want to grow up too fast and interestingly I think that is connected to how she feels unsure about her past.
I really got a great sense of all the characters in the story and I loved that. My favorite thing about Stella is how she picks a color for every month and her art and everything she wears/does are reflected by her color choice at the time. I guess this is what you might call a "coming of age" story but I think it is more than that. It lies somewhere between YA and Adult just like Lemon herself.
BOTTOM LINE:I loved this book and I can't wait to read more by Kristen-Paige Madonia!(less)
The best thing about a book like this in my opinion is getting introduced to new authors! This anthology did not disappoint me in that department! The...moreThe best thing about a book like this in my opinion is getting introduced to new authors! This anthology did not disappoint me in that department! The stories are all revolving somehow around a love (though at times the definition of “love” varies!) story and danger. What could be better, right? Here are my thoughts on just a few of the 30 stories in the book.
Lock Down by Andrea Kane ~ This was one of my favorite stories in the book. I think it is part of an ongoing series and if that is the case, I have a new series to get excited about! I loved the characters!
Without Mercy by Mariah Stewart ~ This was another story where the characters were really great. The story was about a cold case involving a missing girl. There was so much packed into just a few short pages. I am curious to read more of Mariah Stewart's writing!
B.A.D Mission by Sherrilyn Kenyon ~ This was one of the biggest surprises for me. I thought for some reason that she only wrote paranormal books. This story was contemporary and I really enjoyed it.
Night Heat by Laura Griffin ~ This was another stand out story for me. Being ex-military, I love stories that deal with military missions. This one involved hostages at an embassy. I was so engrossed in the story that I was almost mad it was over so soon!
The Number of Man by J.T. Ellison ~ I either Loved or Hated this one. I am just not sure which. It had a creepy stalker and I think it might have been just a little too creepy for me! Either way, I read every word because I had to know what happened!
Hard Drive by Bill Floyd ~ This one takes place close to my home town in NC. I loved reading a story that takes place so close to home. This story was about a cop who got himself in a bad situation with a . . . Yep! You guessed it, a Woman! Still though, it was interesting and I loved it!
I think Love is Murder is the perfect beach read! You can read a story or two and then take a break to cool off in the ocean. If you are looking for new authors to check out, what better way than a sample story of theirs? I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more form the authors that I liked the most!
BOTTOM LINE: Must Buy for anyone looking for new authors to check out. (less)
~Updated~ Oh. My. Goodness! I finished this late last night and I seriously had nightmares about it!!! It was SOOOOO Good!!! If you like thrillers, mu...more~Updated~ Oh. My. Goodness! I finished this late last night and I seriously had nightmares about it!!! It was SOOOOO Good!!! If you like thrillers, murder mysteries and/or books about serial killers this is a MUST READ!!! Full Review Soon!!!
~~oops! I guess I am a little late in adding the full review but here it is!
What Did I Think?
It has been far too long since I have read a great thriller and this one reminded me that I should never go that long again! This is one of those books that sticks with you long after you have read the last page. I literally had nightmares about it! You know what? It was so worth it!
The book focuses on Liv Bergen who works in the mining industry. When one of her employees is found murdered she gets involved in the investigation to find the killer. The creepy, crazy, perverse, serial killer. In the first few chapters of the book we are treated to the details of an incredibly disturbing crime scene. It was described well enough that it became clearly vivid in my mind. As a matter of fact, it is still in my mind because it stuck with me. I find this to be deliciously creepy.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is one that I can't elaborate on in the review because it will spoil your reading experience a bit. I can say that the killer in the book uses the most original and horrifying murder weapon I have ever read about. We do get a few parts of the book from the killers perspective and I loved having that knowledge. We are given at least 2 likely suspects to contemplate throughout the book and just when I thought I had it figured out, she changed it up and made me doubt my suspicions! I loved being in the dark until right at the end.
The book effortlessly weaves together a realistic world, intriguing characters and one scary mystery. The fact that this is just the start of a new series really has me excited. I can not wait to see what Liv Bergan and FBI agent Streeter are up against in the subsequent books.
BOTTOM LINE: One of my favorite books so far this year!(less)
I decided to read this one myself and I am glad that I did! Stuart is such a great character. He is smart and a bit sassy, just like a real 11 year ol...moreI decided to read this one myself and I am glad that I did! Stuart is such a great character. He is smart and a bit sassy, just like a real 11 year old boy. He moves with his parents to his fathers hometown and this starts Stuart on a journey. This journey is full of adventure, mischief and puzzles perfect for a boy his age. Did I forget to mention magic? Stuart is surrounded by unexplainable magical things soon after he gets to town and finds out that he might be just the sort of boy meant to find it. Along the way Stuart encounters lots of interesting characters in the town. Some good, others not so much.
I really loved Stuarts parents. His father is a man intent on using the English language to its fullest extent even if no one around him can understand what he means. His mother is a Dr. (the researching kind) and she seems so delighted at everything that Stuart does, especially if that something has to do with the triplets next door. Last, we have the mysterious and absent Tony Horten. It is Stuart’s fathers Uncle Tony who has set the mystery in motion that Stuart finds himself involved in.
This is the sort of story that I think will help to make reluctant readers become voracious ones. If you are looking for a great book to get your middle grade boy to read over the summer, this is it! If you are looking for a book to read to a younger child that you will enjoy, this is a great choice for that too!
BOTTOM LINE: Magical and full of adventure, the way the best middle grade books should be. I enjoyed it. (less)
Lucky Bastard takes place over the course of just one day and let me tell you, it is one heck of a day! Women, a Chinese mobster, kidnappings, and fam...moreLucky Bastard takes place over the course of just one day and let me tell you, it is one heck of a day! Women, a Chinese mobster, kidnappings, and family drama are just a few things making Nick Monday have a very bad day.
Nick Monday is the kind of PI that I like to read about; clever, self depreciating humor and a cool side-kick. I really had a soft spot for his “side-kick” Bow Wow (Don’t call him Doug!). He really is a loyal and interesting guy to have around.
Nick has an ability that I have never seen before in any medium, he is a luck poacher. He can take your good luck just by shaking your hand. I loved how this was played out in the course of the story. It seemed plausible and that is the highest praise I can offer for a book with any paranormal aspect.
I think that Nick might be the kind of guy that not all women are going to love. He is honest in the thoughts he shares with us. Meaning when he is with an attractive woman, he is totally going to stare at her breasts and let us know about it. I have to admit that I liked the honesty of his character. I also found myself amused by Nicks insistence on joking with everyone, even with people who have forced him into a car or knocked him out. While I am an animal lover and drink organic milk, I still laughed when Nick gave his driver a hard time for being a vegan. He speaks his mind and I liked that about him.
BOTTOM LINE: Something different that might be just what you are looking for, I recommend it!(less)
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