Broken Harbor

Broken Harbor by Tana French

French has a natural talent that is clear from the first page. She uses emotion and description to bring her characters to life.

A horrible crime has been committed. As the chapters unfold different suspects take shape. French forces the reader to puzzle over the motives behind such a heartless crime. The homicide detectives are nicely crafted and add interesting dimensions and subplots.

This book was a bit long and moves slowly. However it mostly held my attention and I would recommend to other suspense readers. 

The Russian Debutante's Handbook

The Russian Debutante’s Handbook by Gary Shteyngart

Amazon.com Description:

“The Russian Debutante's Handbook introduces Vladimir Girshkin, one of the most original and unlikely heroes of recent times. The twenty-five-year-old unhappy lover to a fat dungeon mistress, affectionately nicknamed "Little Failure" by his high-achieving mother, Vladimir toils his days away as a lowly clerk at the bureaucratic Emma Lazarus Immigrant Absorption Society. When a wealthy but psychotic old Russian war hero appears, Vladimir embarks on an adventure of unrelenting lunacy that takes us from New York's Lower East Side to the hip frontier wilderness of Prava--the Eastern European Paris of the nineties. With the help of a murderous but fun-loving Russian mafioso, Vladimir infiltrates the Prava expat community and launches a scheme as ridiculous as it is brilliant. Bursting with wit, humor, and rare insight, The Russian Debutante's Handbook is both a highly imaginative romp and a serious exploration of what it means to be an immigrant in America.”

My Thoughts:

I like Shteyngart’s style. His portrayal of American culture is spot on and amusing. As his other books, this one is full of humor and witty dialogue. I felt that the plot took a crazy turn somewhere in the middle and I became disengaged. But the first half was a gem!

The Next Always

I'm back!!!!

The Next Always by Nora Roberts

Description from Amazon.com:

“The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...”

My thoughts:

Book one of a trilogy…but I’ll be stopping here. I love Nora Roberts under her pen name (J.D. Robb), but I just can’t get into her romance novels. Problems with this one: I liked the supporting characters better than the main characters. Beckett was a weak male lead. There was too much thrown into the story…did she really need to put both the stalker and the ghost in there?!? This book just made me feel really tired! I need to stick to Roberts’ suspense novels and stop trying to make myself like her romance. It’s clearly not going to happen! Any fans out there that could point me to her best romance?

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

I will be off the blogosphere for several days as I am celebrating the season with my family. Of couse I will still find time to read!

I have so many things in my life that I am incredibly grateful for. I am trying to be fully present and enjoy time with my children, relax and just be happy! After next week I will be compiling my goal list for 2014...I think there will be some big goals there this year!

Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful season and health and happiness in 2014. I'll be back in a week with new book reviews.

Lindsay

Three Stages of Amazement

Three Stages of Amazement by Carol Edgarian

Amazon Description:

“Set in San Francisco, Three Stages of Amazement takes readers on a spellbinding journey across a landscape of national unease, when the fragility of one marriage reflects the tenuous state of the American Dream. Lena Rusch and her husband, Charlie Pepper, still believe they can have it all—sex, love, marriage, children, career, brilliance. But when life delivers surprises and tests, they must face, for the first time in their lives, real limitation. Told with eloquence and compassion, Three Stages of Amazement is a true thriller of the heart—about confronting adversity, gaining wisdom and finding great love.”

My Thoughts:

I was a little bored by this one. It was hard to stay engaged. The characters were one-dimensional and the story moved a snail’s pace.

The Prey by Allison Brennan—

Amazon.com Description:

“Rowan Smith is living in a borrowed Malibu beach house while her bestselling novel is made into a Hollywood movie. A former FBI agent with a haunted past, Rowan thinks she has outrun her demons. But fiction and reality collide when a dismembered body is found in Colorado: the real-life victim had the same name, occupation, and looks as a character in Rowan’s novel. By the time the FBI, the LAPD, and her own private bodyguard gather around her, another person is killed–again, the murder ripped from the pages of Rowan’s book. In the company of a former Delta Force officer with secrets of his own, Rowan faces an excruciating dilemma: the only way to chase down the tormenting killer is by revisiting the darkness of her past–and by praying for some way out again.”

My Thoughts:

Romantic suspense is the genre this is listed within. This was a decent suspense. A perfect suspense will have me reading in every spare moment to get to the end. A decent one usually has me reading the last chapter somewhere in the middle…just to see what happens and if it's worth my time to continue reading. I read the end and decided to finish the book. But a few things bothered me...mostly on the "romantic" side of the coin.  First, Rowan, the main character is very weak. I found myself not caring at all if she was killed by her stalker. Next, early on Brennan adds a plot point where Rowan has to pick between two brothers. Both fall in love with her “at first sight.” This part of the story was just unnecessary and ridiculous. Now we go through many pages of this love triangle that has no basis in reality. It creates a romantic relationship that just isn't believable. It simply didn't work. 

So as a suspense, reasonably good. As a romantic suspense? Failure.

The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary

The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary: A True Story of Resilience and Recovery by Andrew Westoll

A raw, moving look at the lives of emotionally and physically damaged chimpanzees. Westoll recounts his time spent with Gloria Grew at her Canadian chimp rehab center. Grew rescues chimpanzees from horrid situations. After many years of abuse, cruelty and shocking treatment she attempts to give these creatures the freedom to live in peace. Each profiled chimp is fighting his or her own heartbreaking battle to heal.

I loved this story, kudos to Westoll for bringing these chimps to life on the page. One of my early dreams in life was to become a veterinarian specializing in primatology. Unfortunately, that was not to be and I regret that I didn’t choose to continue on that path. Always an avid activist, in college I did extensive research on biomedical research and it is absolutely horrifying. Those images will never leave my head. 

Gloria Grew is simply an angel. I appreciated this quote “I believe we can make miracles happen every day if we just help someone in need,’ says Gloria, ‘I think that’s why we’re here on Earth. We need to be of service, or our lives will be empty. God put us here for a reason, and I believe that reason is service.” If only there were more Gloria’s in the world! I admire her.

You can see more about this amazing operation at Faunasancturay.org.

The Paris Wife

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Hadley Richardson loved Ernest Hemingway before he became a famous author. They were not married for long, but at the end of his memoir “A Movable Feast” he writes of her, saying “ I wish I had died before I loved anyone but her.” The regret in that statement is palpable.

McLain researched Hemingway and Richardson through their biographies and letters. With this she built a beautiful story of their romance and marriage.

Hemingway’s failure to remain faithful is legendary. In this book we see this from Richardson’s side. Told from her point of view, the reader is quickly engrossed in their relationship.

The 1920’s was a time of emerging voices and changes in American culture. I would have loved to live in this period. The writing reflects the shine of that era.

Hemingway is extremely complex and interesting. I knew a lot about his writing, his lifestyle and his suicide. However, I knew little about his first marriage. I enjoyed this book immensely. A recommend for the historic fiction reader or the literature buff.

Unlikely Friendships

Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories From the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer Holland

A heartwarming, cute recommendation for you today. Holland provides pictures and sweet commentatry on animals befriending animals of other species. I shared this one with the kids and everyone loved it!

Lionheart

Lionheart by Martha Rofheart

A recommend for the English historic fiction reader.

Rofheart brings the story of Richard the Lionheart to life, telling his story from several perspectives. His time on the throne was tumultuous, his character reported to be complex. I truly enjoyed this one

As Good as Dead

As Good as Dead by Beverly Barton

Amazon Description:
“The victims are all found face-down in the murky waters of the creek that runs through Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee. They are naked, except for the black satin ribbon tied around their necks. And each murdered woman shares a single characteristic...they are all redheads. Socialite Reve Sorrell has come to Cherokee Pointe seeking answers about her family history and her shocking connection to wrong-side-of-the tracks Jazzy Talbot. With their stunning good looks and shining red hair, the two are mirror images of each other-twins abandoned at birth and raised in very different worlds. And whoever left them for dead on a cold night thirty years ago isn't about to let them uncover the truth now. As a serial killer leaves another chilling calling card in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Reye turns to Sheriff Jacob Butler to help her unravel the potentially deadly secrets of her past. But someone will do anything to stop her...someone who won't make the same mistake twice...someone more cunning than she knows...and closer than she ever could imagine”

My thoughts:

Barton has a keen talent for suspense. When I picked this up, I didn’t know it was the third installment of a series. Someday I’m going to be better about that…I hate jumping into the midst of a series without realizing it. And, in this case, Barton brings so many characters in, that if you haven’t read the previous two books, you find yourself confused about who is who.

I would have loved a little more romance (this is billed as a romantic suspense, after all.) The characters, Reve and Jacob, had good chemistry…but it was barely even tapped. Aside from that, I enjoyed the sub-plots and the mystery. She kept me guessing to the end.

A World of Curiosities

A World of Curiosities: Surprising, Interesting, and Downright Unbelievable Facts From Every Nation on the Planet by John Oldale

Oldale provides an intriguing compilation for the curious. Focusing on places around the world, each profiled country has several articles covering history, interesting facts, local people, quotes, tall tales and/or odd information. It felt like I was an antique shop of words waiting to find the next treasure around the corner.

This book will be joining my personal collection…a definite recommend. It would make an excellent gift for the trivia enthusiast, history buff, travel addict or just a nosy (curious) neighbor J

Cold Case Cop

Cold Case Cop by Marliss Melton

Nothing like a romance paperback to get the blood pumping! I grew up on these books…I have read literally thousands of them. I happened upon this one because Melton is on my “author” list. She was put there by her amazing romantic suspense writing, I didn’t realize she had started out more contemporary romance.

I liked this story…it was emotional and also brought back memories of when these books were all that I read!

Through the Narrow Gate

Through the Narrow Gate: A Memoir of Spiritual Discover by Karen Armstrong

Spiritual/religious texts are always on my go-to list. This is Karen Armstrong’s memoir of the seven years she spent in a Catholic convent. I have read other books by Armstrong, so was interested in how she started on her spiritual journey.

I enjoy Armstrong's clear and honest voice about her spiritual pursuits. She has a deep connection to God and is willing to share that with the world. I will continue to read her work.

 

The Bright Side of Disaster

The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center

I could tell from page one that I would enjoy this book. Center is a talented story teller and I was immediately drawn into Jenny, the main character. She is living with her fiance, thinking she’s a happy lady…then Dean (the fiance) freaks out and leaves her--the day before she gives birth to their daughter! Jenny’s world has been flipped and she throws herself into Motherhood and starts to rediscover herself.

Center lost me just a bit toward the end (no spoilers)…but the ending redeemed. A recommend for the light drama/chick lit crowd.

Young House Love

Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update and Show Your Home Some Love by Sherry and John Petersik

Crafty I am not…but sometimes I wish I was! This book has some very clever ideas. Enjoyable for the design novice.

Against the Law

Against the Law by Kat Martin

A decent romantic suspense…I didn’t love it…