Reading and Reviews (Henderson and Abrams)
I'm an author, but I'm also a reader. From time to time, I'llshare my reviews of present and past reads. My available time to read islimited because I write, but I love to curl up with a paperback or an eBook atnight for the last hour of my day.
I tend to read what I write, but not exclusively. BesidesRomantic Suspense and mystery, I read crime and law novels, once in a while atrue story, WWII historicals, romance, and mainstream character driven books.
Here are some of the books I've read recently or in the not-too-distant past.Maybe you'll discover a new book or author.
Snapshot of a Murder by Alison Henderson IsadoraMunro can take a hint. Afterbeing laid off from her job, dumped by her fiancé, and ousted from her home—allon her fortieth birthday—Izzy packs up what’s left of her life in San Franciscoand heads to the picturesque beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea to lick herwounds. To her surprise, the cottage she’s inherited from her Great Aunt Doracomes complete with a built-in roommate—a bossy Burmese cat named Bogart.
After a local baker and chocolatier collapses in Izzy’s arms at the town’sannual Halloween parade and later dies, a colorful trio of Aunt Dora’s friends ralliesto her side. The whole village is on edge with a killer on the loose, so Izzyand her new friends team up with an old colleague, a former SFPD homicidedetective, to solve the murder before one of them becomes the next victim.
My Review:
I’ve read most if not all of Ms.Henderson’s romantic suspense. This is her first venture into cozy mystery, andI’d say she’s succeeding. She has a great cast of characters, including thecat, and a twisty path to find the murderer. My guess is Izzy will have moreentertaining adventures in future books.
https://www.amazon.com/Snapshot-Murder-Izzy-Munro-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CFKB7V5Y/
Unexpectedby Laylah Abrams ClaireMorgan is a beautiful, rich heiress, and the paparazzi love to track her.Although she holds degrees in business and computer science and works hard ather job, the only thing the public is interested in is who designs her gownsand her latest date. Claire has learned to play the part, hiding behind animage that keeps her heart safe and everyone out of her personal life. Then shemeets Nick Holden.
Nickis a struggling artist, waiting tables to pay the bills and his collegetuition. He’s following a dream, but he’s in the middle of a creative slumpthat jeopardizes his grad school scholarship. When Nick is tasked with waitingon famous Claire Morgan and her equally famous best friend and their dates, aspark ignites neither of them sees coming.
MyReview:
WhenI started reading Unexpected, I have to admit, I expected a shallow boy meetsgirl story in the world of the rich and famous. There are so many “billionaireromances” floating around. But only pages in, I realized this story wasanything but superficial.
Nickand Claire live in different worlds, and they assume the gap can’t be crossed.But their physical attraction is strong, and they act on it. They jump into alove affair they consider a carnal convenience. What they both miss in thebeginning is the deeper draw to each other. What Ms. Abrams is adept at iswriting the slow revelation of their characters.
Onenote on style. Ms. Abrams used clips from news articles to begin each chapter.The effect was fun and insightful for the story.
Ilove character driven fiction. When an author can grow a character, immerse thereader, and complete the arc, the end result is satisfying. The story has depthand kept me turning the pages. Claire and Nick inspire each other to becomplete. The fact remains, they are still a rich celeb girl and a no-nameartist. Can it work? I encourage you to pick up this book. The ending will leaveyou feeling good.
https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Laylah-Abrams-ebook/dp/B0CK8T9ZWR/
