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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Ghost of a Chance

Ghost of a ChanceGhost of a Chance by Kerry Blair

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Samantha Shade has always wanted to be a Super Hero. Her job as interim head of Nightshade Investigation is as close as she'll probably get to reaching that dream, if she can just solve her current case and avoid being the next Marigold Murderer victim.

Kerry Blair's story is hilarious and suspenseful. There is mystery and romance. At least, Samantha is really hoping for a romance with Thom-her interior dialogue about that situation is so funny.

I'm sad that this is the last book written in the series. I would love to read more Nightshade Mysteries.

Never Say Never

Never Say Never (Daily, Texas #3)Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was the final book in the Daily, Texas series. It didn't grab my attention as quickly as the other two books, but it was still interesting and I enjoyed the new characters.

Donetta, Imagene, and Lucy rarely leave Daily. They decide it's time for some adventure in their senior citizen lives, and they pack up for a cruise. Unfortunately, a hurricane comes, and they never make it on the ship. They join the throngs of evacuees trying to get far enough inland to avoid the storm. They are helped along the way by Kai Miller.

I enjoyed learning about Donetta's past, and the whole hurricane situation was interesting. The typical Daily series romance was included, although it didn't show up until about half way through the book.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Forsaken

Forsaken (Fall of Angels, #2)Forsaken by Keary Taylor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Forsaken is the sequel to Branded, written by self-published author Keary Taylor.

When I read Branded a little over a year ago, I thought it was pretty original. Jessica has had awful dreams for years where she sees the final judgment of the deceased. When she wakes up, she has the brand of the condemned on her neck. It's terrifying and painful, and she does her best to avoid sleep. Branded ends with Jessica not having to deal with the nightmares anymore, and she's no longer alone.

Forsaken fell a little short in originality. There were several instances where I thought it was just like Twilight. A few times I was lost, not remembering some of the details from the previous story. I was also quite distracted by typos.

Alex's reason for not proposing (a major source of conflict throughout the story) was ridiculous. No one knows how much time they'll have with someone. If you love them, and don't ever want to be without them, then pop the question!

I did like Forsaken, but I would have loved to see some more originality and proofing.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

What's It Worth?

I really like to finish what I start. There is something inside me that drives me to finish, even if the task takes a really long time, or is unenjoyable. Unfortunately, this attitude follows me in books I read for fun.

More and more I find that there are some pretty poorly written or trashy novels out there, and I'm gaining nothing from finishing them. I won't be penalized for not finishing, but I'll definitely lose time, and might even have filth in my mind that won't ever leave.

I found this to be the case with The Red Tent. Someone recommended it to me a few years ago, but my library's copy has been missing. A friend recently mentioned that it was on her reading list, and that got me interested in tracking it down again. I ended up borrowing it from another library.

I was so disappointed with it! So much so that I only made it to page 36, and I am anxious to get it out of my house.

My uncle (an avid reader) once said, "If a book is worth reading, it's worth owning." Initially I wasn't sure if I agreed with him, but then I realized that too often I read books that just aren't worth reading.

How do you determine if a book is worth reading?

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Matched

Matched (Matched, #1)Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great story! I devoured this book. Some aspects reminded me of The Giver or The Uglies Trilogy.

Matched is a futuristic story where the Society is in charge of everything, from what you eat and wear, to your profession, to when you will die. They're even in charge of who you are matched with (for marriage).

Cassia is excited to find out who her match is, and is very surprised when her best friend Xander is her match (already knowing your match is very uncommon). But, she's happy about it, until she tries looking at her match card. Xander's picture disappears and she sees Ky (another friend).

The Society doesn't make mistakes, and Cassia's life turns upside-down as she tries to discover who her best match really is, and if the Society's way of life is what she really wants.

I loved the characters in this book, and was sad when it ended (it's a triology and the second book won't be released until November). I'm definitely looking forward to reading Crossed when it is released.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind

Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind (Avalon Romance)Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind by Heidi Ashworth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind was an enjoyable, fast read, reminiscent of a Jane Austen story.

Miss Delacourt is a head-strong woman, who loathes that most people defer to impeccable manners instead of saying what they really feel. She would much rather tend her to grandaunt's rose garden than attend balls with other members of high society.

Sir Anthony Crenshaw (grandson to Ginny Delacourt's grandaunt) is told by his grandmother to escort Ginny from the city back home to tend to her rose garden. Anthony and Ginny initially find each other detestable, but they are forced to spend much more time together than anticipated. They come to see each other in a new light, but the other characters in the story are in the way.

I wasn't nearly as emotionally connected to the characters in this story as I have been with Jane Austen's characters, but I did like the story. I will definitely try to read the sequel, Miss Delacourt Has Her Day.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Secrets

Secrets: A Novel (Secrets, #1)Secrets: A Novel by Kristen Heitzmann

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lance Michelli sets out on a journey for his grandmother (a recent stroke victim), but he's not sure what he's looking for. He's led to her childhood home, which is being renovated into a bed and breakfast by Rese (Theresa) Barrett. She hiring for the b&b, and Lance jumps at the opportunity to have access to the house.

Although they don't hit it off initially, they are just what each other needs. But, Lance hasn't been forthcoming about why he's really there. Will his secrets keep him from the truth he's looking for?

This was an enjoyable mystery, although sometimes I felt the story was dragging. But, in hindsight, that could have been a reaction to the parts that were depressing (some of the details from the past were hard to read).

Friday, June 3, 2011

Remember No More

Remember No MoreRemember No More by Pamela Carrington Reid

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Kiri has tried to put her abusive childhood behind her and move on with her life. But, moving on is hard when she's held back by guilt and feeling that she's unworthy of love and happiness.

The main idea of the story was good, but the delivery was lacking. It was a challenge to finish.

I'd love to visit New Zealand someday, so I enjoyed the tidbits I learned about New Zealand and the Maori people.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Confession

The ConfessionThe Confession by John Grisham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I almost didn't make it past the first chapter of The Confession due to the creepiness of Grisham's character, Travis Boyette. Boyette is a convicted rapist, out of prison on parole. The story opens with him visiting the pastor of a Lutheran church, where he confesses to the rape and murder of a Texas teenager. A classmate of Nicole's was convicted of the murder, even though her body was never found. He is about to be executed for the crime.

The story follows the crazy journey of Boyette, the pastor, the defense attorney, the death row inmate and his family, and the victim's family.

This was a very hard book to read. It was also very thought provoking.