Procrastination = Book Reviews
Haven't done these in a looooong time. Don't intend to do them thoroughly now, either. Really, I'm just procrastinating working on a freelance project that I don't believe the person intends to pay me for. Can you understand my lack of motivation? ;)
Anyway, I LOVE Free Nook Book Fridays, and have it to thank for most of these titles--books I never would have picked up otherwise.
Alice Love keeps her life (and job, and family) running in perfect order, so when her bank card is declined, she thinks it's just a mistake. Sadly, someone has emptied her bank account, spending her savings on glamorous trips, sexy lingerie, and a to-die-for wardrobe-and leaving Alice with lots of debt. As a dashing fraud investigator helps her unravel the intriguing paper trail, Alice discovers that the thief is closer to home than she ever imagined. What's more, it seems like her alter ego's reckless, extravagant lifestyle is the one Alice should have been leading all along. As the little white lies begin to stack up, how far will Alice go to find the truth? And whose life, exactly, is she fighting for?
* * * * *
I was quickly sucked into the world of this book. I found myself identifying closely with the main character (with the exception of her being financially stable, as we definitely are not)--she's dependable to a fault, and I was outraged when she discovered who it was that stole her identity and her money. The "dashing fraud investigator" is a nice, if predictable, addition, and he lives up to his description. I took his side more and more as the book went on and found myself annoyed at Alice and her methods/attitude. There are some side characters who seem to have more going on than they actually do, which kept things interesting, but I kept waiting for the shoe to drop, so to speak, and it never did. So, a bit of confusion there until I realized: these are not main characters; their drama would have taken away from the story.
There is a good amount of brand-name-dropping--which is cool for people who are into that kind of thing, not me--but there wasn't so much of it that I found it annoying or distracting.
All in all, a quick, fun read.
She came in the rain. Alone. On a bicycle.
Annie and Max Darling are completely unprepared when the arrival of a mysterious young woman shocks their sea island and stirs up more than just gossip.
It turns out that Iris, the beautiful stranger, is a former resident of Broward's Rock. Her arrival throws the normally happy town into a downward spiral that pits neighbor against neighbor.
Things take a turn for the worse when Annie befriends Iris and invites her to attend the Darlings' party at the pavilion where Death is the uninvited guest. Suddenly, Max and Annie find themselves in the middle of a fight they don't understand and at the mercy of an unknown assailant who's trying to kill them—and all they know is that it is one of their friends.
* * * * *
Once I had invested the time it took to get into this story, I found I didn't care much what happened, but I was determined to see it through. I guess I kept hoping it would get better. Instead it was only so-so. It's not that it was predictable. Truly, I wasn't sure who the killer was until the end, but it could only be one of like 5 people, and none of those people had many redeeming qualities, so it didn't really matter to me which one of them it was.
I got somewhat annoyed at the main character and her determination to investigate this case. Just because you own and operate a murder mystery bookstore does not make you a super sleuth. And the repeated references to other, more famous, murder mysteries annoyed me rather than making me want to read them, as I think was Ms. Hart's intent.
All in all, a somewhat-tedious, not-very-interesting read.
By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweler working in a lively London studio. By night, she's a sleepwalker troubled by a past she can't put to bed and a present that leaves her clinging to an unsuitable boyfriend. Arlo Savidge was once a budding heartthrob musician. Then tragedy struck and he chose to forsake stardom and all future affairs of the heart for a quiet life in the countryside as a music teacher.
Petra and Arlo haven't seen each other since they were teenagers-when their feelings ran deep but the timing wasn't right. Now, seventeen years later, they run into each other once more. Might first love get a second chance-or will what keeps them up at night keep them apart forever?
* * * * *
I have no idea why this book is called Pillow Talk. The subtitle, if you could call it that, "What keeps you up all night?" is much more appropriate but would make a horrible title. Oh well. I LOVED this. It's soooo British, with its language and expressions that I find hilarious. And I found myself very interested. Just what is the reason for Petra's sleepwalking? I was a bit taken aback by the explanation that finally, finally comes toward the end. I also wanted to know Arlo's secret, which is slightly less interesting but much more sad.
Quality literature it is not, but an interesting story and easy to get into. It definitely kept me up reading long after I should have been asleep.
When a young woman stumbles out of the Hanalei Mountains on the island of Kauai with no memory of who she is or how she got there, Cameron Pierce reluctantly agrees to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding her arrival. As pieces begin to fall into place, he suspects her injuries were no accident, but he's far from convinced she's an innocent victim. And there's that nagging feeling he's seen her somewhere before....
Now known as Jade, the woman begins to recall fragments of what led her to this place, and she realizes the danger isn't over. Jade and the cynical Hawaiian investigator attempt to reconstruct the threads of her identity, but the stakes are far higher than either expected.
* * * * *
I liked this one, but I didn't love it. I was pretty disappointed when I found out----[SPOILER ALERT]----that it wasn't about the main character at all! What? All this drama and violence, and it all had to do with 3 side characters? The only thing the main character had going for her was a very resilient nature and a developing love interest. All the Hawaiian language was cool, but pretty distracting, and then annoying when I found out that after struggling through Google Translate there were translations at the back of the book. Would have been nice if the author had put a note or something toward the front letting people know that resource was available.
The Christian themes that pop out occasionally might bother some who prefer their fluff fiction to be religion-free. I didn't mind it, but I don't feel it added anything religiously significant either. Maybe if you're a patty-cake Christian. ;)
This was recommended by a friend. Normally his recommendations are quite good. This one was a bit miss. I'm thinking maybe he hadn't finished it yet before he recommended it to me. At least it was free. ;)
In the sleepy small town of Barracuda Bay, Maddy Swift leads the life of a fairly typical teenager, but while attending a party one night, Maddy is struck by lightning and awakens to realize she has been reanimated and turned into a zombie. While becoming acquainted with her new "lifestyle," Maddy stumbles upon two unexpected undead chaperones, fellow students Dane and Chloe, who begin to teach her the ways of zombie life, including defending the populace from Zerkers—the bad zombies. Together, on prom night, the three teens must ultimately defend Barracuda Bay High from an all-out zombie Armageddon.
* * * * *
This one is FUN-ny. At least to me. I think it's meant to be that way. It's definitely YA, and appeals to the high school aged audience. They would likely take the main character's concerns more seriously than I did. Being a parent has jaded me a bit. ;) I found myself wanting a few of the side characters to die horrible deaths. In that, I was disappointed. The climactic zombie Armageddon is over quickly and without as much vengeance as I would have liked. The main character's romantic choice was a bit disappointing as well. I chalked it up to her being a stupid teenager, though a zombie-fied one.
Not quality literature, but funny. And the ending is totally open for a sequel, though I think the other books in the series are about other unrelated supernatural/un-dead creatures.
Julie Collins is stuck in a dead-end secretarial job with the Bear Butte County Sheriff’s office, and still grieving over the unsolved murder of her Lakota half-brother. Lack of public interest in finding his murderer, or the killer of several other transient Native American men, has left Julie with a bone-deep cynicism she counters with tequila, cigarettes, and dangerous men. The one bright spot in her mundane life is the time she spends working part-time as a PI with her childhood friend, Kevin Wells. When the body of a sixteen-year old white girl is discovered in nearby Rapid Creek, Julie believes this victim will receive the attention others were denied. Then she learns Kevin has been hired, mysteriously, to find out where the murdered girl spent her last few days. Julie finds herself drawn into the case against her better judgment, and discovers not only the ugly reality of the young girl’s tragic life and brutal death, but ties to her and Kevin’s past that she is increasingly reluctant to revisit. On the surface the situation is eerily familiar. But the parallels end when Julie realizes some family secrets are best kept buried deep. Especially those serious enough to kill for.
* * * * *
Uhhh... I remember liking this, but I honestly can't remember much about it. The main character kind of got on my nerves. I think it was because she's a cynic, a drunk, a chain-smoker, AND a sex addict. I just don't identify with that type of person. So, I'm not sure I'll be very interested in the remainder of this series, except for her relationship with childhood friend Kevin, which seems to be developing into something else. And he's a good guy. So maybe he can help her get over some of her major hangups. (Sorry if you drink, smoke, and/or are promiscuous. Yes, I consider those vices.)
The crime she is supposed to be solving seems to come in second to her personal issues, until over half-way through the book. Then the two seem to collide, and things got more interesting. It shouldn't have taken so long to snag me.
War correspondent Jennie King thinks she’s just a temporary guest in her grandmother’s Amish community while she recuperates from the devastating injuries sustained in a car bomb attack that changed her world. But when she meets Matthew Bontrager, the man she had a crush on as a teenager, she wonders if God has a new plan for her. Jennie has emotional and physical scars and though she feels she has come home to this man and this place, she's not sure she can bridge the difference between their worlds.
* * * * *
Wow. This book could not have been more different than the last one. (I read this immediately after Blood Ties.) Let me sum this up for you in two words: Amish Romance. I was NOT prepared. It was cute and sweet, though, but jeepers, how much more bodily trauma can this girl take before it breaks her?? I don't knowmuch anything about the Amish, but their reaction to everything that happens seems too easy. They're too nice. Too accepting. There's the one guy with an issue, but he's easily dealt with. Maybe they are very accepting of outsiders joining their community, but I would have thought not. They seem like very private people. Anyway, this is supposed to be the first of a series, and from the blurbs I've read, the following books seem even more unlikely. At least Jennie had some experience living the Amish life when she was younger. Characters introduced in following books have no experience and yet are apparently accepted just as easily as she was. Meh. Might read them if they're ever available for free.
The Duggars: 20 and Counting! is a behind-the-scenes look at the supersize family that fascinates millions of television viewers around the world. From Idaho to Istanbul, people want to know how Arkansas parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar efficiently and lovingly manage 19 happy, home-schooled children without going into debt—or losing their minds!
This is an entertaining and enlightening collection of stories, photos, recipes, tips, traditions, and practical ideas designed to answer the questions of the curious, such as: Why do you have so many children? How do you provide for your family financially? How do you handle mealtimes? Transportation? Laundry? Birthdays? How are your children so well behaved? Why do all your children have names that begin with J?
Since their first documentary broke viewership records on the Discovery Health Channel, the Duggars have appeared in American and international news media, sharing their rock-solid faith and their overriding belief that “children are a blessing from God”. In this audiobook, Jim Bob and Michelle share their story, beginning with their own childhoods. They reveal how their growing-up years shaped their philosophy of parenting. It continues with tales of their big, busy family, whose televised documentaries and frequent appearances in news shows and newspapers have created an international following.
The Duggars share, with humility and humor, the family routines and guidelines they’ve learned through biblical study and trial and error—ideas that can help make your home a place of peace, love, and support: Financial lessons for debt-free living, organizing systems for a clutter-free home, home-schooling methods and schedules, training tips for little ones, relationship builders for older children, and favorite Duggar family resources.
* * * * *
My favorite parts of this were the cute stories and the helpful tips on organizing and potty training. Other than that, I didn't care much about the history of the family. That sounds cold. It's just that Michelle talks a loooooong time about Jim Bob's and her own childhood, and I just wanted her to get to the helpful bits about how they manage such a large family. I haven't watched the show much, so I guess a lot of people would be interested in their beliefs and why they have so many kids. I wasn't. I kinda knew all that already just from the several large Pentecostal families I know. The jist of it is: who are we to tell God how many children we should have? If we as Christians want Him to be in control of our lives we have to give EVERYTHING over. I get that. I don't practice it as far as childbearing goes, but I understand it.
Michelle does all the narration, and, at times, I felt myself annoyed with her and how freakin' NICE she is. How can you have so many children and never get angry?? And she NEVER GETS ANGRY. She also doesn't pronounce all of her words properly. I don't mean she has an accent. She might have a slight southern accent, but it's not distracting. I mean that she was reading a section that maybe Jim Bob had written, and she wasn't familiar with the word, and she totally butchers it. It was kinda funny, and I wondered why they didn't fix it in editing.
I guess this would be a good one for you if you're into the Duggars, but if you're just interested in learning tips about family management there isn't much here.
Anyway, I LOVE Free Nook Book Fridays, and have it to thank for most of these titles--books I never would have picked up otherwise.
The Liberation of Alice Love by Abby McDonald - ★★★★★
Alice Love keeps her life (and job, and family) running in perfect order, so when her bank card is declined, she thinks it's just a mistake. Sadly, someone has emptied her bank account, spending her savings on glamorous trips, sexy lingerie, and a to-die-for wardrobe-and leaving Alice with lots of debt. As a dashing fraud investigator helps her unravel the intriguing paper trail, Alice discovers that the thief is closer to home than she ever imagined. What's more, it seems like her alter ego's reckless, extravagant lifestyle is the one Alice should have been leading all along. As the little white lies begin to stack up, how far will Alice go to find the truth? And whose life, exactly, is she fighting for?
* * * * *
I was quickly sucked into the world of this book. I found myself identifying closely with the main character (with the exception of her being financially stable, as we definitely are not)--she's dependable to a fault, and I was outraged when she discovered who it was that stole her identity and her money. The "dashing fraud investigator" is a nice, if predictable, addition, and he lives up to his description. I took his side more and more as the book went on and found myself annoyed at Alice and her methods/attitude. There are some side characters who seem to have more going on than they actually do, which kept things interesting, but I kept waiting for the shoe to drop, so to speak, and it never did. So, a bit of confusion there until I realized: these are not main characters; their drama would have taken away from the story.
There is a good amount of brand-name-dropping--which is cool for people who are into that kind of thing, not me--but there wasn't so much of it that I found it annoying or distracting.
All in all, a quick, fun read.
Dare to Die by Carolyn Hart - ★★☆☆☆
She came in the rain. Alone. On a bicycle.
Annie and Max Darling are completely unprepared when the arrival of a mysterious young woman shocks their sea island and stirs up more than just gossip.
It turns out that Iris, the beautiful stranger, is a former resident of Broward's Rock. Her arrival throws the normally happy town into a downward spiral that pits neighbor against neighbor.
Things take a turn for the worse when Annie befriends Iris and invites her to attend the Darlings' party at the pavilion where Death is the uninvited guest. Suddenly, Max and Annie find themselves in the middle of a fight they don't understand and at the mercy of an unknown assailant who's trying to kill them—and all they know is that it is one of their friends.
* * * * *
Once I had invested the time it took to get into this story, I found I didn't care much what happened, but I was determined to see it through. I guess I kept hoping it would get better. Instead it was only so-so. It's not that it was predictable. Truly, I wasn't sure who the killer was until the end, but it could only be one of like 5 people, and none of those people had many redeeming qualities, so it didn't really matter to me which one of them it was.
I got somewhat annoyed at the main character and her determination to investigate this case. Just because you own and operate a murder mystery bookstore does not make you a super sleuth. And the repeated references to other, more famous, murder mysteries annoyed me rather than making me want to read them, as I think was Ms. Hart's intent.
All in all, a somewhat-tedious, not-very-interesting read.
Pillow Talk by Freya North - ★★★★★
By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweler working in a lively London studio. By night, she's a sleepwalker troubled by a past she can't put to bed and a present that leaves her clinging to an unsuitable boyfriend. Arlo Savidge was once a budding heartthrob musician. Then tragedy struck and he chose to forsake stardom and all future affairs of the heart for a quiet life in the countryside as a music teacher.
Petra and Arlo haven't seen each other since they were teenagers-when their feelings ran deep but the timing wasn't right. Now, seventeen years later, they run into each other once more. Might first love get a second chance-or will what keeps them up at night keep them apart forever?
* * * * *
I have no idea why this book is called Pillow Talk. The subtitle, if you could call it that, "What keeps you up all night?" is much more appropriate but would make a horrible title. Oh well. I LOVED this. It's soooo British, with its language and expressions that I find hilarious. And I found myself very interested. Just what is the reason for Petra's sleepwalking? I was a bit taken aback by the explanation that finally, finally comes toward the end. I also wanted to know Arlo's secret, which is slightly less interesting but much more sad.
Quality literature it is not, but an interesting story and easy to get into. It definitely kept me up reading long after I should have been asleep.
Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann - ★★★☆☆
When a young woman stumbles out of the Hanalei Mountains on the island of Kauai with no memory of who she is or how she got there, Cameron Pierce reluctantly agrees to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding her arrival. As pieces begin to fall into place, he suspects her injuries were no accident, but he's far from convinced she's an innocent victim. And there's that nagging feeling he's seen her somewhere before....
Now known as Jade, the woman begins to recall fragments of what led her to this place, and she realizes the danger isn't over. Jade and the cynical Hawaiian investigator attempt to reconstruct the threads of her identity, but the stakes are far higher than either expected.
* * * * *
I liked this one, but I didn't love it. I was pretty disappointed when I found out----[SPOILER ALERT]----that it wasn't about the main character at all! What? All this drama and violence, and it all had to do with 3 side characters? The only thing the main character had going for her was a very resilient nature and a developing love interest. All the Hawaiian language was cool, but pretty distracting, and then annoying when I found out that after struggling through Google Translate there were translations at the back of the book. Would have been nice if the author had put a note or something toward the front letting people know that resource was available.
The Christian themes that pop out occasionally might bother some who prefer their fluff fiction to be religion-free. I didn't mind it, but I don't feel it added anything religiously significant either. Maybe if you're a patty-cake Christian. ;)
This was recommended by a friend. Normally his recommendations are quite good. This one was a bit miss. I'm thinking maybe he hadn't finished it yet before he recommended it to me. At least it was free. ;)
Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer - ★★★★☆
In the sleepy small town of Barracuda Bay, Maddy Swift leads the life of a fairly typical teenager, but while attending a party one night, Maddy is struck by lightning and awakens to realize she has been reanimated and turned into a zombie. While becoming acquainted with her new "lifestyle," Maddy stumbles upon two unexpected undead chaperones, fellow students Dane and Chloe, who begin to teach her the ways of zombie life, including defending the populace from Zerkers—the bad zombies. Together, on prom night, the three teens must ultimately defend Barracuda Bay High from an all-out zombie Armageddon.
* * * * *
This one is FUN-ny. At least to me. I think it's meant to be that way. It's definitely YA, and appeals to the high school aged audience. They would likely take the main character's concerns more seriously than I did. Being a parent has jaded me a bit. ;) I found myself wanting a few of the side characters to die horrible deaths. In that, I was disappointed. The climactic zombie Armageddon is over quickly and without as much vengeance as I would have liked. The main character's romantic choice was a bit disappointing as well. I chalked it up to her being a stupid teenager, though a zombie-fied one.
Not quality literature, but funny. And the ending is totally open for a sequel, though I think the other books in the series are about other unrelated supernatural/un-dead creatures.
Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong - ★★★☆☆
Julie Collins is stuck in a dead-end secretarial job with the Bear Butte County Sheriff’s office, and still grieving over the unsolved murder of her Lakota half-brother. Lack of public interest in finding his murderer, or the killer of several other transient Native American men, has left Julie with a bone-deep cynicism she counters with tequila, cigarettes, and dangerous men. The one bright spot in her mundane life is the time she spends working part-time as a PI with her childhood friend, Kevin Wells. When the body of a sixteen-year old white girl is discovered in nearby Rapid Creek, Julie believes this victim will receive the attention others were denied. Then she learns Kevin has been hired, mysteriously, to find out where the murdered girl spent her last few days. Julie finds herself drawn into the case against her better judgment, and discovers not only the ugly reality of the young girl’s tragic life and brutal death, but ties to her and Kevin’s past that she is increasingly reluctant to revisit. On the surface the situation is eerily familiar. But the parallels end when Julie realizes some family secrets are best kept buried deep. Especially those serious enough to kill for.
* * * * *
Uhhh... I remember liking this, but I honestly can't remember much about it. The main character kind of got on my nerves. I think it was because she's a cynic, a drunk, a chain-smoker, AND a sex addict. I just don't identify with that type of person. So, I'm not sure I'll be very interested in the remainder of this series, except for her relationship with childhood friend Kevin, which seems to be developing into something else. And he's a good guy. So maybe he can help her get over some of her major hangups. (Sorry if you drink, smoke, and/or are promiscuous. Yes, I consider those vices.)
The crime she is supposed to be solving seems to come in second to her personal issues, until over half-way through the book. Then the two seem to collide, and things got more interesting. It shouldn't have taken so long to snag me.
A Time to Love by Barbara Cameron - ★★★☆☆
War correspondent Jennie King thinks she’s just a temporary guest in her grandmother’s Amish community while she recuperates from the devastating injuries sustained in a car bomb attack that changed her world. But when she meets Matthew Bontrager, the man she had a crush on as a teenager, she wonders if God has a new plan for her. Jennie has emotional and physical scars and though she feels she has come home to this man and this place, she's not sure she can bridge the difference between their worlds.
* * * * *
Wow. This book could not have been more different than the last one. (I read this immediately after Blood Ties.) Let me sum this up for you in two words: Amish Romance. I was NOT prepared. It was cute and sweet, though, but jeepers, how much more bodily trauma can this girl take before it breaks her?? I don't know
The Duggars: 20 and Counting! by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar [audiobook] - ★★★☆☆
The Duggars: 20 and Counting! is a behind-the-scenes look at the supersize family that fascinates millions of television viewers around the world. From Idaho to Istanbul, people want to know how Arkansas parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar efficiently and lovingly manage 19 happy, home-schooled children without going into debt—or losing their minds!
This is an entertaining and enlightening collection of stories, photos, recipes, tips, traditions, and practical ideas designed to answer the questions of the curious, such as: Why do you have so many children? How do you provide for your family financially? How do you handle mealtimes? Transportation? Laundry? Birthdays? How are your children so well behaved? Why do all your children have names that begin with J?
Since their first documentary broke viewership records on the Discovery Health Channel, the Duggars have appeared in American and international news media, sharing their rock-solid faith and their overriding belief that “children are a blessing from God”. In this audiobook, Jim Bob and Michelle share their story, beginning with their own childhoods. They reveal how their growing-up years shaped their philosophy of parenting. It continues with tales of their big, busy family, whose televised documentaries and frequent appearances in news shows and newspapers have created an international following.
The Duggars share, with humility and humor, the family routines and guidelines they’ve learned through biblical study and trial and error—ideas that can help make your home a place of peace, love, and support: Financial lessons for debt-free living, organizing systems for a clutter-free home, home-schooling methods and schedules, training tips for little ones, relationship builders for older children, and favorite Duggar family resources.
* * * * *
My favorite parts of this were the cute stories and the helpful tips on organizing and potty training. Other than that, I didn't care much about the history of the family. That sounds cold. It's just that Michelle talks a loooooong time about Jim Bob's and her own childhood, and I just wanted her to get to the helpful bits about how they manage such a large family. I haven't watched the show much, so I guess a lot of people would be interested in their beliefs and why they have so many kids. I wasn't. I kinda knew all that already just from the several large Pentecostal families I know. The jist of it is: who are we to tell God how many children we should have? If we as Christians want Him to be in control of our lives we have to give EVERYTHING over. I get that. I don't practice it as far as childbearing goes, but I understand it.
Michelle does all the narration, and, at times, I felt myself annoyed with her and how freakin' NICE she is. How can you have so many children and never get angry?? And she NEVER GETS ANGRY. She also doesn't pronounce all of her words properly. I don't mean she has an accent. She might have a slight southern accent, but it's not distracting. I mean that she was reading a section that maybe Jim Bob had written, and she wasn't familiar with the word, and she totally butchers it. It was kinda funny, and I wondered why they didn't fix it in editing.
I guess this would be a good one for you if you're into the Duggars, but if you're just interested in learning tips about family management there isn't much here.