Heidi Hall's Blog, page 3

Blood Orchids by Toby Neal - Aloha!

I was first drawn to this book because it has nearly the same title as one of my all-time faves by Stuart Woods. I'm so glad I took a chance and actually read it! Blood Orchids by Toby Neal is a fantastic book! I'll start with the scenery - The Big Island of Hawaii is one of my favorite places on this earth. And while I've only been to the Kona Coast portion of the island, I really enjoyed the imagery of Hilo and the surrounding parks and and beaches.

Lei, the main character of this novel is an interesting and engaging heroine. Her background is vivid and compelling. There were times I almost felt like a voyeur because her history was so well-written and fleshed out. The mystery? Wonderful, and, as the book description says, "un-putdownable."

Then there's her faithful companion - Keiki. I love animals and it seems I always fall in love with books where I fall in love with the animal/s portrayed in them. Keiki can come live with me any day!

Romance is definitely an important element in Blood Orchids, but it's not overpowering or mushy. Toby Neal put just the right amount in to make it true to the story and, especially, to the characters. Bravo! I also love series, so I can't wait to find out what happens to Lei next.

Blood Orchids is currently $2.99 on Amazon and worth every penny. If you enjoy mystery, suspense, and romance all wrapped up into one fabulous read - this is the book for you. I highly recommend!

Happy Reading!
~Heidi

Golden Lies by Barbara Freethy is... Golden!

Golden Lies is the second book I've read by Barbara Freethy. And this one is definitely my favorite of the two! Let me start with the cover, because I absolutely love it - although after reading the book, other than the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, I didn't find it really suited the content. But it is a beautiful image and was definitely a deciding factor when I downloaded the book.

The story revolves around three central main characters who are drawn together when a mysterious dragon statue is found. I really enjoyed the Asian culture in the book and found it original and refreshing.

The romance and chemistry between Riley and Paige sparked and drew me in. Theirs was a romance I could get behind and root for. Every character was well drawn and their histories were portrayed with depth and realism. What I really liked was how quickly the pace moved and how, with so many different threads being woven together, I never felt like I missed anything, or something wasn't explained. Golden Lies is the epitome of romantic suspense. You won't be able to put it down.

(Possible spoiler?) The ending is what I expected, but I wouldn't have had it any other way... happy endings are always a must-have for me. Golden Lies is ridiculously inexpensive, too. I actually downloaded it as a freebie, but when I went to Amazon to check on the price just now I saw it is only $1.99. BARGAIN! For romance and romantic suspense lovers, you won't want to miss this one.

Happy Reading!

~Heidi

The Hunger Games Trilogy - A Review by a Chick-Lit Lover

I was late to this party, but I'm glad I finally gave in. Definitely not my normal reading fare, but the story really is quite engrossing. I have to admit it took quite a while to get used to the first-person present-tense style. I actually like first person... it was the present tense that threw me. I did become accustomed to it after a brief period, that might have been shortened if I had connected more with Katniss from the beginning. I didn't. In fact, I never really fell in love with this character.
After The Twilight Saga madness (and, yes, I fell under Edward's spell quite quickly), and when the media made such a big deal about how this series was going to be even bigger, I had to see what all the hoopla was about. I had high expectations for this story and I can't say it necessarily disappointed me, but while I'm sure it was intended to be a character-driven plot, I found them (the characters) to be a far second to the world-building that went on. In this, Suzanne Collins did a wonderful job of painting the imagery quite vividly with her words. Throughout all three books, I never had difficulty picturing where the story was taking place.
But... I still never fell in love with the characters. The antiwar message came through loud and clear, and was an enjoyable ride, but I felt let down that Katniss never aspired to greatness. For a heroine, she was a disappointment to me. Every accomplishment was more luck than skill, and I saw very little growth in her throughout the series until the very, very end - which was a little rushed, in my opinion, after all the buildup and still painted her as flat and rather emotionless. I realize this is due to the emotional damage she'd suffered and is probably a more apt demeanor for someone who has lived the life she has, but it left so much to be desired. Where was the hope? I didn't necessarily need a happy ending, but I felt nearly depressed after it ended. In one word - The Hunger Games is: Sad!
*Possible Spoiler Alert*
Speaking of the ending... I wish there had been more about what happened to the country in the aftermath. From others, I went into these books believing I was going to be swept up in a love triangle, which, okay, maybe it was... kinda, sorta. But since I never felt a connection to any of the trio (other than feeling a bit sorry for Peeta), and since there was more action than drama, I felt the lack of details, lack of a vivid picture of what happened, was sorely lacking.
*End Possible Spoiler*
Now, I know I compared the two series before, so I will elaborate a bit more. Twilight was all drama. You felt more than the mechanics of the characters - even though I did not overly enjoy all the redundant musings found in the books and skimmed through about 50% of the stories. In contrast, The Hunger Games had a much better plot and was far superior in the writing style, but it lacked passion. It lacked emotion. Well, emotions other than fear, hatred, and violence. It was brutal and dark.
One must take into account that I am truly a lover of Chick Lit. I need light and happy. I definitely enjoyed this foray into the dark side, but I am at a loss as to why these books are so incredibly popular. They're actually quite depressing - especially considering that they're written for a YA audience. Maybe as someone who is several years past "young" I just don't get it. I know many YA books that spread like wildfire are popular because of a certain theme, which, in my estimation is young children doing things that are more "adult": fighting wars, torid romances, grand adventures without parental oversight, etc. So, maybe in this instance I didn't connect because I know the real life consequences of what was occurring.
In the end, I'll watch the movies. I'd recommend the books to a friend as something interesting to read. But when it comes down to it, I wouldn't re-read the series. The Hunger Games is definitely a unique experience, but when it comes to all the hysteria - I'll take a pass. I am not team Gale or team Peeta (whose name makes me hungry for Greek food). I don't suddenly feel the need to visit an archery range. I'm glad I spent the time to read the series so I can speak intelligently when the topic comes up in conversation, because the avalanche has begun and there's no getting out of the way. But as I watch it unfold, all I'm inspired to add to the pile is a careless shrug and a noncommittal, "Meh."
Let me know what your thoughts are on the subject. And, "May the odds be ever in your favor." ;-)
Happy Reading!
~Heidi

Vacation Love - Escape by M.K. Elliott

Need to get away? Escape by M.K. Elliott takes you to a fabulous island resort in Thailand and fills the days with romance and beautiful tropical scenery. I think many of us can relate to the need to run away from our stressful jobs and lackluster relationships. Lucy does just that when she leaves behind a stagnant live-in boyfriend to seek a little spice.

Putting aside disbelief that, at a glance, a handsome man can know you're different without more that a few words exchanged, I rooted Lucy on as she pursued a relationship with the sexy dive instructor. The romantic in me wanted to see these two together - even with the moral grey area they were entering. I've never been a fan of settling for what you know, when it doesn't make you happy, just because it's easy and familiar. I really wanted Rudy (the dive instructor) and Lucy to find their bliss, which made me keep turning the pages long after my bedtime.

*Spoiler Alert* The only problem I had was the ability on both their parts to hide who they really were professionally - it just seemed silly and even the explanations given barely made sense. Maybe if the reasons had been explored deeper, I wouldn't have had a problem with it. But in this case, the secrets just made unnecessary drama... and I like drama. The ending also seemed rushed. Everything was tied up nicely, but I would have liked at least a glimpse of their happily ever after. This is just me though and expectations may vary greatly.  *End Spoiler*

But even with a few nit-picks, I enjoyed this story. It is an easy, quick read and is perfect for a lazy day or vacation. I also enjoy books written by Brits... the colloquialisms are so fun in England! I definitely recommend. Check it out on Amazon and let me know what you think!

Happy Reading!

~Heidi

Romance South of the Border - Cinderella in Overalls by Carol Grace

Cinderella in Overalls by Carol Grace took me a while to get into. The premise is interesting and original... and also timely with Catherine's family losing their farm during these hard times. But the plot was very slow and difficult to stay interested in (for me). I liked both of the main characters, but had to skip pages of unnecessary reminiscences and inner turmoil to get to the good stuff.

Now, the scenery was vivid and I enjoyed it immensely. There were also two possible fun mysteries that were glossed over.


*Possible Spoiler Alert* The visit to the fishing village and the woman in the reeds could have been a neat tangent, but was wrapped up too soon. Also, the silver mine - what could have been an exciting adventure was also cut short after page upon page of describing the trip to get there and the building excitement of discovery. At least there was a happy ending (I love happy endings), but even this seemed rushed. *End Spoiler*


Many of my impressions of this book may stem from a change in my reading preferences. I used to devour romance books with relish (not the pickle kind). But more and more frequently I find I would rather laugh with a good chick lit book or hold on for the ride inside the pages of a romantic suspense. A happy ending alone just doesn't cut it for me anymore. Now, if you are a die-hard romance fan - BUY THIS BOOK. It has everything a romance should have, it just wasn't for me. Take a look for yourself at Amazon, as Cinderella in Overalls is only $2.99.

Happy Reading!

~Heidi

A Modern Day Fairy Tale - Three Wishes by Stephanie Bond

Three Wishes by Stephanie Bond is a cute take on Aladdin and his magic lamp. If you love fairy tales, this book will be right up your alley. As a warning, this is a very light read. And by light, I don't mean short, but... fluffy. That sounds negative, but that's not the way I intend it. It's simply a whimsical read and I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking it's something that it's not.

I'm a fan of Stephanie Bond and have been for years - her Body Movers series is the essence of Chick-Lit and I devoured them in short order. I wouldn't necessarily call Three Wishes Chick-Lit though as it's light, but not humorous in my opinion.

Overall, I liked this book, but never completely fell in love with the characters. As for recommendations for fellow Chick-Lit lovers... Try one of the books in the Body Movers series. Three Wishes is currently $0.99 on Amazon, so if you're looking for a bit of reading entertainment this weekend on the cheap - hop on over and try a sample. And as always, let me know what you think!

Happy Reading!
~Heidi

Free and Fabulous - Falling for You by Julie Ortolon

I'm a sucker for a beach setting and Galveston is one of those places I've always wanted to visit. Add in local lore, potential hauntings, likable characters and a happy ending and I am definitely going to rave about the book. Julie Ortolon is quickly becoming a favorite of mine for romance and she didn't miss the mark in Falling for You .

I got frustrated by some of the preconceived ideas held by Chance, the hero in this story. But in the end I felt they added to his character by showing the depth of his breeding and how what we are brought up thinking is expected of us isn't always what is best... or even actually expected. Aurora St.Claire (Rory) is a perfect heroine in that she is easy to relate to and her actions are real instead of being contrived. Her tenacity is inspiring and you want these two to be together, rooting for them until the very last page.

I downloaded this book a while ago, and was surprised to see it is still free on Amazon. I completely recommend Falling for You to those who love a great romance that is also an easy and engrossing read.  And for the price, what do you have to lose?

Besides, the fun doesn't stop after Falling for You, which is the first book in Julie Ortolon's Pearl Island Trilogy. You won't want to miss reading Allison's story in Lead Me On , or Adrian's story in Don't Tempt Me ! With so many great books, I suggest you get started reading right now!
Happy Reading!
~Heidi

LOVED IT!!! Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig

I absolutely adored this book! Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig was a real treat to read. I am a HUGE fan of Chick-Lit, so this isn't really a surprise. But what was astonishing was how I absolutely couldn't put it down. I loved everything about it, which makes writing a review a little difficult... either I'm going to give the whole story away or there won't be any details.

What a dilemma!

I guess I'll stick with generalities because if I start on any one thing, you won't have to read the book and I would be depriving you of an absolutely fabulous read. So, the characters - very well-developed. From the hero and heroine to the mother to the animals - I really felt I knew them all by the time I was done. The story line was fantastic! Easy to follow, but not too predictable in any way - I had to keep picking up my Kindle again and again (even though I really need to be writing) because I needed to read just one more page. Finally, hot sex with laughter - there is absolutely nothing better!

Buy it! Or, actually - don't. BECAUSE IT'S FREE on Amazon right now!!! Read it and fall in love with Chick-Lit all over again!

Happy reading!

~Heidi

Cursed with the gift of great storytelling - 50 Ways to Hex your Lover by Linda Wisdom

50 Ways to Hex your Lover by Linda Wisdom was a tremendously fun, witchy read.


Jazz Tremaine is a witch and she knows how to use it. Tough and world-weary, our heroine is a brash wielder of magic, a ghost befriending closet softie, and a temptress to vampires and foul-smelling creature alike.


I enjoyed the ride, the imagery and the imaginative world created in this book. Fluff and Puff are by far my favorite characters with their evil midnight snacking tendencies, though I wouldn't protest stumbling upon Nick in a dark alley...


I have to admit it took me a while to get through this book. It starts well, but lags a bit in the middle. Once things started exploding and curses flying though, I couldn't put it down. It is definitely well worth the few pages where I just wanted things to get moving (or I could have been in a mood - stranger things have happened) to get to the good stuff. Adventure and intrigue follow Jazz as she sets about to right a wrong being committed against the vampires and the ensuing danger awakens a passion she has been trying to suppress for years. The sex is hot, but some of the language may be off-putting to certain readers. This is not a book for young adults, that is for certain. Didn't stop me from gobbling it up though.


I definitely recommend 50 Ways to Hex your Lover and can't wait to read Hex Appeal !


Happy Witchy Reading!


~Heidi

Need a ride? - Anywhere but Here by Jenny Gardiner

I really enjoyed Anywhere but Here by Jenny Gardiner. The plot is original - even if a bit far-fetched - and you can't help but cheer Mary Kate on in her pursuit of freedom and happiness after discovering her history (I wanted to do physical harm to her douchebag husband). Her handsome hitchhiker is an interesting character, mysterious and unfailingly kind - what's not to like when you have those qualities in a hero, right? I was sucked in and had to know what would happen next, which is definitely the way I want to feel when reading a book.

I have a bone (pun intended) to pick with the characters, though...


**SPOILER** How could you forget about the dog you'd just rescued? I was having fun on this improbable journey until I had to spend the last few pages wondering what had happened to him. And then to find out he was fine, but the characters had forgotten about him? Okay, I'll admit it, I was really ticked off. **END SPOILER**


Rant aside (and it's a personal thing - I am a huge animal lover! I would rather run over my neighbor than their cat any day) :-) Anywhere but Here was a fun read and I definitely recommend to my fellow Chick-Lit lovers! And for only $2.99 on Amazon, it's definitely worth the read. Try it and let me know what you think.

Happy Reading!

~Heidi