Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 246

Review: HOLIDAY ROMANCE by Stacey Coverstone

 

These are supposed to be romantic stories set during the holidays. But all they do is mention the day of the holiday, but the characters and scenery are not really set in the holidays. For instance, the St. Patrick’s Day story just mentions a bet by the holiday date—no St. Patty’s parade or Irish luck or anything like that. Some were good, some were too long, most were okay.

 

Soft and sappy tales for the romantic.

 

My rating: 3 stars

Review: CROSS WAVES by Amanda Uhl

 

A girl gone missing and two old partners are on the case.

Geneva was the most powerful psychic trainer of the mind hackers unit. Her mother was murdered right in front of her when she was a kid and the missing girl was dreaming about it before her disappearance. She must work with a partner she can’t stand yet one she can’t stand not to think about in inappropriate ways.

I thought this secret organization was kind of cool, reminding me of Charles Xavier’s X-MEN. However, the schematics behind the vortex, the colors, the auras, and all these psychic energies can be difficult to comprehend. Story is narrated in short, fragmented sentences that doesn’t always make it clear of where the characters are—are they in each other’s heads or are they dreaming or are they floating in space or what?

The race to find the crystals and one of their own had a level of excitement and intrigue, which I liked. But, quite frankly, I would’ve preferred a simpler approach.

 

My rating: 3 stars

Review: DOUBLE DECEIT by Julienne Brouwers

 

During a holiday vacation, Jennifer’s husband goes missing. Days later, he is found dead.

As she tries to recollect the pieces of her shattered life, Jennifer soon discovers something else: her husband had an affair. Eventually, she realizes that his secrets go much deeper.

I thought this book had an interesting premise, but the story’s lengthy prose and descriptions often took more time than it should. Clues and secrets were uncovered very slowly. The attempt at provoking a critical and edge-of-your-seat tale was sensed, but it was really more of a light presence that was laden by an extensive narrative. The writing was fair, but the story needed more excitement.

 

My rating: 3 stars

Review: STREAMING SARAH by Joyce Kostakis

 

Okay, so this starts off with a botched suicide, it seems. Then it segues to a wedding with a bunch of names thrown here and there. It has a really odd narrative (more like insane rantings, really.) It kind of goes all over the place, and I really don’t know what’s what. I guess Vicky is the psychic in the story. It’s so chaotic that it loses the reader almost entirely. The suicide was kind of interesting. Too bad we just couldn’t concentrated on that.

 

My rating: 2 stars

Review: TELL ME WHY by Ruth O’Neill

 

It starts off with a rescue mission in a dark tunnel. Then we flash back to 2 years ago, when Lauren was having a girl’ weekend. From then on, it’s pretty much a blur. Can’t really tell you much of what happens after that because it was so slow and boring. Kind of drags on. So NOT what I expected.

 

My rating: 1 star

Review: AN APPOINTMENT WITH MURDER by Jennifer Jennings (Book 1)

Sarah Woods was a massage therapist and owner of her clinic. One late night, she finds her receptionist dead on her desk. A murder at her massage clinic. But who could’ve done it? Her fiancé? An old lover?
A well-written and captivating mystery!
My rating: 4 stars

Review: AN ACT OF DECEIT by Jennifer Jennings (Book 2)

Sarah Woods has been recruited by the same covert operations as her dead assistant. She now has the spy gig. Her first job was an infidelity case, and the cheater ends up dead. Was this an accident? Was it the scorned wife? Or was it one of his many lovers?
With the help of former P.I. and boss, Carter, Sarah realizes that she has a natural talent for this investigation stuff.
A good mystery read!
My rating: 4 stars

Review: A TASTE OF SIN by Jennifer Jennings (Book 4)

Sarah Woods was getting better and better at this crime-solving stuff. What’s a few dog bites in the process?
In this book, it’s the first time Sarah was the lead in the case. This time, a dying woman wants to know if her husband’s been poisoning her. How could Sarah refuse her request? After all, she was in this for the betterment of society.
It’s easy to get into a Sarah Woods mystery. The answer is never what you’d expect.
My rating: 5 stars

Review: AN ISLAND OF ILLUSION by Jennifer Jennings (Book 3)

Even though Sarah Wood’s marriage has been on the fritz, her husband surprises her with a trip to Hawaii. Time was going to be spent relaxing under the sun and by the waves. Then Carter shows up with a kidnapping case.
This was an okay mystery, but it had too many people in it.
 My rating: 3 stars

Review: THE MASQUE OF INNOCENCE by Jennifer Jennings (Book 5)

A case of a missing elite woman with an open marriage. She was last seen at the masquerade ball.
Sarah Woods is a smart and inquisitive gal.
My rating: 4 stars