Mitchell (119 books)

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

When the Siren Calls
by Tom Barry (Goodreads Author)

read in November, 2012

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The heroine of this story is Isobel Roberts. She is a wealthy, beautiful, but neglected woman who is bored and frustrated with her workaholic husband, and so when a charming stranger called Jay comes into her life and tells her of his plans for a lux...more The heroine of this story is Isobel Roberts. She is a wealthy, beautiful, but neglected woman who is bored and frustrated with her workaholic husband, and so when a charming stranger called Jay comes into her life and tells her of his plans for a luxurious new tourist development in Tuscany, she can’t resist fantasising about how her life might yet change. When the Siren Calls tells what happens next – a tumultuous, dramatic story of sexual awakening set beneath the Italian sun. The subject matter of the book seems to be how wealth and security can lead to boredom, and how alluring the exotic becomes in these circumstances. To Isobel, Jay represents the exotic in two ways – the hot, romantic Tuscan life, and sexual experimentation. For me, the story was about Isobel and the love triangle that she finds herself in. But there are also fascinating sub-plots intertwined with the Isobel/Jay story. In particular there is Jay's tempestuous mistress, the smouldering seductress Lucy - who was actually my favourite character even though i think I was supposed to dislike her because of her naked ambition and lack of morals. But in a story set amongst almost all wealthy people, she is the girl next door, and I couldn't help being touched by her vulnerability.
Then there is the business intrigue, which was essential to the plot and, thankfully, kept very simple. I never really knew, or cared, what the skulduggery was all about,i just knew that innocent people were being cheated.

There is a lot of sex in the story, but none of it is gratuitous, and the author could, and I think would, have made it much more graphic if he wanted his story to be erotica. It is sensual, but never made me feel uncomfortable.

All in all, this is a pacy, racy, romance novel that also feels like a critique of the lifestyle of the wealthy. Generally, the pace of the novel is consistent and levels of tension and suspense are just right. Isobel’s deliberations about her marriage and Jay’s allure are convincingly handled, and the will-she-won’t-she dilemma is compelling in itself.
The backdrop for their story is a world that is populated by almost universally rich men and beautiful women. The men are mostly predatory adulterers, and the women are all adept at using their sexuality in order to manipulate the men.

The novel is beautifully written, very literary, but without slowing down the pace. If I could change anything about this book it would be to have a different ending. The ending left me totally gobsmacked. I thought there were only two ways this story could end, I was wrong, and I'm looking forward to the follow up.(less)

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Battalion
by Adam Hamdy (Goodreads Author)

read in November, 2012

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Have to say, this is a really good book about a futuristic America where natural resources are at a low. As far as the quality of content is concerned, this is right up there with Sum of all Fears

When I first started reading this, I had no idea what...more

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

The Horror of Gaad Grey, The Evil Alpha Werewolf by Sean H. Robertson

The Horror of Gaad Grey, The Evil Alpha Werewolf (The Cries of Vampira, #1)
by Sean H. Robertson (Goodreads Author)

read in November, 2012

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I’ve always been a fan of vampire books and movies. So I tend to pick up these types of books whenever I see them on Kindle. Some are not so great while others tend to be really good. Fortunately this is the latter.

Sean marks a very strong entry in t...more

Mitchell is now following Aimee Lane's reviews

Mitchell is now a fan of Goodreads Author Aimee Lane

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Beyond the Red Carpet by Francine Brokaw

Beyond the Red Carpet: The World of Entertainment Journalists
by Francine Brokaw

read in November, 2012

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I absolutely loved this book. Ms. Brokaw writes with such humor and awareness for the craft of entertainment journalism. She didn't focus just on herself; she brought dozens of her peers into the book to give readers even more perspective on what rea...more

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

You Made It: Mom Entrepreneur Edition
by Cinnamon Mccann

read in November, 2012

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I bought this for my wife who has been having the itch of starting her own business, but wasn’t sure how to start or even if she could pull it off. And since my 9 to 5 job takes so much of my time, this would primarily her undertaking.

With the help o...more

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

How Toxic Are You?: The Solution for Body Pollution
by James J. Martin

read in October, 2012

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This book is awesome. By far the most complete guide to toxins in the body out there.

Not only does this book explain the different types of toxins and how they are entering your body. But it also provides real practical solutions on how you can deto...more

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

How to declutter your home for simple living
by Judith Turnbridge

read in October, 2012

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This is a great book on decluttering the home!

I bought the newly expanded and improved 2nd edition and it’s really brimming with great ideas. I really liked the chapters on each room in the home, and I especially liked the one on decluttering the hom...more

Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Liquid Lies
by Lois Lavrisa (Goodreads Author)

read in October, 2012

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I have to say, this is one of the better mystery novels that I have read. Lois did an exceptional job with this book.

When I first started reading this, I planned on setting it down after the first couple of chapters. But before I knew it, a couple ho...more

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Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars When the Siren Calls by Tom Barry (Goodreads Author) read in November, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The heroine of this story is Isobel Roberts. She is a wealthy, beautiful, but neglected woman who is bored and frustrated with her workaholic husband, and so when a charming stranger called Jay comes into her life and tells her of his plans for a lux...more
Nov 26, 2012 07:00am · see review
Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars Battalion by Adam Hamdy (Goodreads Author) read in November, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Have to say, this is a really good book about a futuristic America where natural resources are at a low. As far as the quality of content is concerned, this is right up there with Sum of all Fears When I first started reading this, I had no idea what...more
Nov 22, 2012 07:03am · see review
Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars The Horror of Gaad Grey, The Evil Alpha Werewolf (The Cries of Vampira, #1) by Sean H. Robertson (Goodreads Author) read in November, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I’ve always been a fan of vampire books and movies. So I tend to pick up these types of books whenever I see them on Kindle. Some are not so great while others tend to be really good. Fortunately this is the latter. Sean marks a very strong entry in t...more
Nov 20, 2012 01:26pm · see review
Mitchell is now following Aimee Lane's reviews
Nov 15, 2012 06:41am · like
Mitchell is now a fan of Goodreads Author Aimee Lane
Nov 15, 2012 06:41am · like · see all of Mitchell's favorite authors
Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars Beyond the Red Carpet: The World of Entertainment Journalists by Francine Brokaw read in November, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book. Ms. Brokaw writes with such humor and awareness for the craft of entertainment journalism. She didn't focus just on herself; she brought dozens of her peers into the book to give readers even more perspective on what rea...more
Nov 08, 2012 12:42am · see review
Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars You Made It: Mom Entrepreneur Edition by Cinnamon Mccann read in November, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I bought this for my wife who has been having the itch of starting her own business, but wasn’t sure how to start or even if she could pull it off. And since my 9 to 5 job takes so much of my time, this would primarily her undertaking. With the help o...more
Nov 01, 2012 03:49am · see review
Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars How Toxic Are You?: The Solution for Body Pollution by James J. Martin read in October, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This book is awesome. By far the most complete guide to toxins in the body out there. Not only does this book explain the different types of toxins and how they are entering your body. But it also provides real practical solutions on how you can deto...more
Oct 31, 2012 12:24am · see review
Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars How to declutter your home for simple living by Judith Turnbridge read in October, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is a great book on decluttering the home! I bought the newly expanded and improved 2nd edition and it’s really brimming with great ideas. I really liked the chapters on each room in the home, and I especially liked the one on decluttering the hom...more
Oct 31, 2012 12:16am · see review
Mitchell rated a book 5 of 5 stars Liquid Lies by Lois Lavrisa (Goodreads Author) read in October, 2012	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I have to say, this is one of the better mystery novels that I have read. Lois did an exceptional job with this book. When I first started reading this, I planned on setting it down after the first couple of chapters. But before I knew it, a couple ho...more
Oct 26, 2012 10:44pm · see review

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