Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 361

Review: TUESDAY’S CHILD by Dale Mayer

Samantha Blair is a young psychic with the power to astral project and to heal. Imagine experiencing the gruesome death of an unknown victim and waking up in a pool of your own blood in your own bed. Wow!

Unlike your ordinary psychic, Sam saw violence—not only saw, but experienced it. That sucks. But enough was enough. She had to stop it. “She was tired of waking up dead.” (6)
I was instantly allured by the concept, eager to see how Sam would get out of this. To do this, Sam must find the same killer that’s been mutilating the victims, thusly her. Of course, the cops wouldn’t believe her, not without proof. But Brandt wasn’t one of those cops.
Story was riveting at first, but then it slowed somewhat. Tracking down the killer just seemed to take forever. Hell, it took some time for Brandt to find Samantha. No wonder he needed help with this homicide case. Really, the best parts were of Sam falling prey to her “gift,” even when she was awake. Still, sometimes what she saw/experienced was puzzling, especially when you can't tell if it's a dream or a vision.  
Overall, it was a well-written mystery, although I still don’t see why it was called “Tuesday’s Child.”
My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: WIND DOWN by Mark Ewig

Aaron Starks, a young college student, is finally moving into his own apartment off campus. What does one really expect when you have four guys living together? Beer, parties, chicks—the usual, of course.  That’s how Aaron pictured how life would be….until he meets Jessica.
Although the writing style was fairly average, the characters, in general, were expressly unique and relatable.  Story had some areas that were compelling and others that were a tad mundane. However, it maintains a consistent flow throughout, never lagging for too long.
Mystery and drama are keys in this basic, yet intriguing, prose, which surrounds the life of our Aaron. The odd thing was the occasional blackout he would experience. Blackouts were bad enough, but why was he seeing and hearing things during his wake? What was wrong? Was he going insane? And could it have anything to do with what happened in college?
“The monkey’s drive and will to live continues even after it has been crushed.” It’s called the wind down effect. (127)
It had a slow beginning, but it picks up rather quickly about half way through. Suddenly, one questions the difference between reality and illusion, and then you have to see how it all ends.
A simplistically rendered tale, Wind Downis a perplexing race against time, scavenging in the dark depths of a foggy memory, to seek out Aaron’s killer and save his energy source.
A quick and easy read!
My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: LOVE, ACCIDENTALLY by Sarah Pekkanen

Isla is an animal veterinarian who meets a man (Griff) walking his dog as she was on her way to meet a blind date. I thought this was a very cute meeting.
On the surface, Griff seemed to be a great guy, a perfectguy for Isla; however, all that was put into question when we discovered that he was unemployed. Ooh, not good! And Isla has had some experience dealing with dead-beat losers.
Additionally, was Griff trying to be too perfect when he flew her out to meet his parents on Christmas? But, most importantly, WHY would he bring up the ex on their first date? Of course, she should worry! He may not be over her.
From that point forward, Isla wracks her brain about his ex. Are they still in touch? Does he still love her? Why did they break up? There were obviously trust issues, and why wouldn’t there be? They clearly got involved way too quickly.
This was simply a tale about the chaos of trust and relationships (both new and old.) I might even check out the next book, All is Bright, which details the story of Griff’s ex. Mmmm. My rating: 4 stars

Review: HEARTS ON FIRE by Bree Roberts

 
Jess is a female fire fighter who can hold her own and is considered “one of the guys.” Cort is a fellow fire fighter who walked out on her a year ago on Valentine’s Day and left her heartbroken. Now, he was back. But why? Of course, to get her back!
I liked the fact that Jess was a tough chick who could handle Man’s Land better than anyone; she was like Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality.
The story was well-paced with a combination of tension, lust, and drama. The cover could have you thinking that this was just another steamy, erotic romance tale with the guy’s naked torso, but it’s actually not. It’s a short, clean, well-balanced romance—I liked it.
My rating: 5 stars

Review: FULL OF FIRE by Jennifer Millikin

“Besides, the characters in my books are much more interesting than the assholes around me.” (6)

Lila Mitchell is your typical introverted college student, who evades large groups and prefers the company of paperbacks. Already I like the girl and can relate!
“Rain and dark clouds call for a good book and a warm blanket.” (24)
Cornered by a peppy gal, she reluctantly agrees to attend a party, where she meets the “blond Adonis” Cade whom she pawns off on a friend so she could sneak off and escape into her book once again. Again, my kind of girl. Lila is a smart and witty loner and happy to be.
Of course, sometimes she wondered if she’ll ever find someone. According to her: “I’m easily annoyed, my standards are high, and I have trouble connecting with people.” (23) Mmm, that might be my problem as well.
Very relatable! Lila endures the stamina of a young, single woman with humor and grace.
Then…along comes Xavier, owner of the most exclusive night club in Vegas, a man that ignites a fire within the little book worm. For the first time ever, Lila loses the librarian’s bun and lets her hair down, but still is able to maintain her dignity and self-respect.
Even though Xavier is a rich and handsome man, both he and Lila seemed like total opposites—like night and day, fire and water. At first, they didn’t seem compatible, but then opposites attract, right? The challenges that bestow the loving couple make for a scintillating read.
Full of Fire is a well-written and fun romance that will light a spark in readers.
My rating: 4 stars

Review: PAINT ME GONE by Molly Greene

"I dream my painting and I paint my dream."--Vincent Van Gogh

Genevieve Delacourt, a private investigator, is on the case for a missing woman from the painting--a woman also suspected of murder. Oliver A.K.A. "Livvy", her gay neighbor, is the Watson to her Sherlock. The two make a great duo.
First of all, the subject of art interested me (I LOVE that Van Gogh quote!) The mystery itself, however, was not so compelling. The investigation was just so long and blasé.  Maybe if I had read the first two mysteries I would have understood it and enjoyed it more. Unfortunately, I didn't.
 
My rating: 2 stars

Review: MOTHER CONDEMNED by Jodi Clark

Lauri has just woken up to her worst nightmare: the kidnapping of her son.
The story immediately takes flight as frenzy surrounds the search for the missing child. Suddenly it comes to a fleeting halt when Lauri becomes a prime suspect in the disappearance.  And, in the midst, an alluring stranger infiltrates himself into her life. I’d be very surprised if this Sam guy wasn’t involved in some way, given how he just showed up out of the blue.
Mother Condemned was generally well-written and fast-paced. It might’ve jumped around a bit too quickly (one minute, Lauri is tearfully fighting off another breakdown, and then next, detectives are simultaneously probing into clues,) but the mystery is compelling enough to see the whole thing through. Where is Benny? Who is behind this whole thing? And how will Lauri prove her innocence?
Of course certain areas lagged a bit too much for me, especially in the quest to exonerate Lauri.  The reader will surely empathize with her through the tears and tribulations as she struggles to break through the endless pain shadowed by the accusing eyes of the media and the police. Story might have been too heavy on the sadness and drama. I kind of thought this would be more of a thriller (think Ashley Judd in Double Jeopardy;) instead, the story concentrated more on procedural tactics and the emotional trauma. Still I’d say that this was a pretty average and quick read.
My rating: 3 stars   

Review: ACCIDENTAL KILLER by Tong Zhang

“Is he going to die today?” An odd question for Sarah to have in the morning, but a compelling start to the novel. The topic then steers to the subject of security systems and protecting valuable assets. What assets? And why would somebody die? I didn’t get that.
Details concerning government bureaucracy and nanotechnology were very scientific and daunting.
Well-written with intellectual wit, Accidental Killeris clearly a political thriller, which may suit the fans of the genre; however, for me, it was nothing but confusion. Although the fine details and colorful descriptions were appreciated, I felt that there was too much going on to fully immerse in the story. There were too many characters and too many convoluted theories.
Judging by the title, I thought this would be more of a horror/suspense/mystery story and I guess somewhere along the line it is, but it just wasn’t what I expected.

My rating: 2.5 stars   

SLEEPING BEAUTY & OTHER TALES OF CHARLES PERRAULT (Illustrated by Walter Crane)

I’ll be honest: the REAL reason I downloaded this book was to look at the pretty pictures.

As an artist/illustrator, I enjoy seeing the visual interpretations of a story. It’s amazing how a single picture can reveal so much.
 


“The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods”  


The images were like stained-glass etchings—almost Romanesque.  Although I don’t know why they called it “Sleeping Beauty in the Woods.” She wasn’t in the woods; she was in a freaking castle!
 

 
“Puss in Boots”
 I liked the use of visual direction. From the text, the reader is drawn by the cat below and the boot acts as an arrow toward the second image and then into the third.
 
“Blue Beard”
I wouldn’t want to marry someone with a blue beard either, especially not knowing what happened to his other wives.
 
What lies inside the forbidden closet?
 


The focus here is clearly on the desperate, pleading wife while the sister is shown in the top corner looking out for rescue while below stands Blue Beard raising a saber to his wife.
 


“Little Red Riding Hood”
 

 “Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper”

Note: This is not a review. It's more like a showcase.

Review: IF YOU HAD SUPER POWERS, WHAT WOULD IT BE by Christopher Holley

“If you had a super power, what would it be?” For me, it would be telekinesis—to move things with my mind.
This story all began with the incessant questions of Jenny. “What would your power be,” she’d ask.  “Would you like to fly or disappear?”
The quips and rhymes were a treat, like a Dr. Seuss book. Drawings were cute.
 
My rating: 4 stars