Review: Proof

Proof by Dick Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another great everyman mystery by my best bud, Dick Francis. This time, featuring wine. Meet Tony Beach. Wine merchant by trade. Young widower, as is the case in so many of his books. Brave, resourceful, but still just a regular joe. This is why I love these books.

I really hoped for a new career by the end of the book, but the ending made sense to me. Anyway, another good one by Francis. 3.5 stars.

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Review: Leaving Time

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow. Why did I think this was a time travel book? So not what I was expecting, but I was enthralled from start to finish.

First of all, I love elephants. I love them. So hearing more about them was interesting. Second, I love a good family drama / mystery. Jenna, searching for her mom. Serenity, trying to find her groove again. Virgil, trying to right an old wrong. So many threads, so much to absorb. Picoult does her classic "story from multiple perspectives" method, as you would expect, giving you small pieces until it all falls together.

I have to admit I suspected the twist about 3/4 of the way through. Not a bad thing, just something said that dropped it all into place for me. Still interesting, and since I listened to the audio the narrators didn't drive me nuts. 4 stars.

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Review: Scandal in Spring

Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A satisfying end to my Wallflowers. I think Matthew ended up being my favorite.

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Review: Redemption Road

Redemption Road by John Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My first book by this author. Definitely didn't disappoint. I felt pretty stupid for not figuring out the killer, though. The clues were right in front of me!

Decent character development for a stand-alone with a satisfying epilogue. Even if it was completely unrealistic, I was pulling for the good guys to win, and I guess they did, mostly. 3.5 stars but going to round up to 4 because I'm still thinking about it a day later.

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Review: Married By Morning

Married By Morning by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kleypas sticks with the same formula, and it's just as enjoyable. This time we focus on Leo and Catherine. Marks to her friends. Are they my favorite couple in the series? No, sorry, that honor goes to Cam & Amelia. But they run a close second.

This is a fun series. I wish I had read Wallflowers first, because I like to do things in order, but oh well. The completely predictable formula took it from 4 stars to 3.5, but I still love the Hathaways.

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Review: Turn Coat

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harry gets his ass kicked. Volume 11. On audio, which is the best way to experience my favorite wizard.

Lots to say about this one but I want to avoid spoilers. Let's keep it at Harry jumps into the fray with both feet, as usual. Not nearly enough Murphy in this one. And it ended on a not so great note. Guess this means I'll be headed to book 12 soon to find out what is next.

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Review: A Night to Remember

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gripping account of what happened as the Titanic went down from the point of view of the survivors. Not sure they are all reliable. Possibly never going on a cruise again. And definitely not in third class.

You will feel the ice cold waters of the Atlantic. You will want to fill up those boats to capacity. Be glad of the safety regulations that govern our cruise ships today, because what happened on that ship was insanity.

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Review: Skinwalkers

Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chee. Leaphorn. The beginning of a beautiful partnership.

First we have Joe Leaphorn. Solid cop. Experienced, smart, good husband. Then we have the younger Jim Chee, equally smart, trusts his instincts, a bit outside the rules. Together they make a great team.

This time we are chasing a skinwalker through the Navajo Nation. Lots of twists and turns, and it doesn't necessarily end up where you think it might. Looking forward to the next one.

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Review: Sleigh Ride

Sleigh Ride by Heidi Cullinan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a silly marshmallow. I liked this one better than the first one.

Arthur. Yes. Everything about him is a huge yes. Gabriel, while not my jam, works with Arthur. Plus, I loved Arthur's parents, who truly just want his happiness.

Unrealistic in how it all played out, but I certainly love a good HEA. So sue me. 3.5 stars.

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Review: Food: A Love Story

Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Funny guy! Actually burst out laughing at a few parts, and can totally relate to the foods he loves and hates.

He's great in person, great on audio, and great in print. Thanks, Jim!

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Review: Avoiding Alpha

Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I must have been in a good mood when I read the first book, because this one was painful. Clunky, immature dialogue, clichés, and chockablock with eye-rolling scenes.

Perhaps I waited too long between book 1 and book 2, which from the review I enjoyed. Perhaps I am turning into a grumpy old lady. Or perhaps it's just not as good as book 1. The world may never know. 2 stars.

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Review: Fool Me Once

Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good thriller with lots of twists and turns. I admit I didn't guess the ending but I had pieced some of it together.

This book might have been 4 stars but Maya made some questionable decisions throughout the book, and while she didn't fall into "too stupid to live" territory, she should be more intelligent than she was at times. I also didn't like the epilogue and felt it was unnecessary.

Otherwise, I liked it. 3 stars.

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Review: To Sir Phillip, With Love

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love everything about this series. The Bridgertons are my favorite family.

This time, it's Eloise's story. You remember her, quietly in the background, or not, as she talks ALL. THE. TIME. But she's lovely, smart, and opinionated. She's a spinster at the ripe old age of 28, and now that her dearest friend Penelope is hitched to Colin, she is feeling her age. But worry not--the clandestine behavior from book 4 all comes out here.

It's a love match, as you would expect. I do miss Lady Whistledown, though. She was cheeky and fun. I liked the twist of instant motherhood, and no one would do it better than Eloise. Good stuff, as usual. On to book 6!

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Review: Death in a Strange Country: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery

Death in a Strange Country: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Loving this series! Brunetti has really grown on me. Decent, stand up cop. Lawful good, dogged, and a good husband. What's not to like?

This time, Commissario Brunetti is investigating a murder. A body is found floating in a Venice canal, stabbed. Turns out it is an American solider from a nearby base. Guido is on the case, although they would rather he just let it go. But he can't, because you can't just change your alignment. He sticks with it, and in the end he pisses off his superiors and he solves the case, naturally.

Good series with well-plotted mysteries and interesting characters. 3 stars.

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Review: Snow Angels

Snow Angels by James Thompson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good start to the series!

Imagine Finland, cold and dark. A brutal murder has happened. Inspector Vaara is on the case. He's lawful good, like I want in my lawmen. Think Walt Longmire or Joe Pickett in Scandinavia. The cultural pieces are interesting, the crime was full of twists, and I loved the relationship between Kari & Kate.

Looking forward to book 2. 3.5 stars.

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Review: Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Colin and Penelope, sitting in a tree, K-I-S...well, you get the idea.

If you are ridiculously obtuse, you might have missed the forshadowing in An Offer From a Gentleman where Colin, quite loudly, exclaims that he will NEVER marry poor, plain Penelope Featherington, breaking her heart in the process. Years pass, and Colin lives to eat his words. And everything else in sight. I've never seen a character eat as much as him. Almost every scene had him waiting for sandwiches.

Food scenes aside, I enjoyed Penelope's progression from side character to star of the show. She's smart and has more of a spine than she seemed to in the other books. And while I didn't guess the secret, looking back I guess I should have. The clues were all there.

Overall, 4 stars. Love this series so much.

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Review: Mine Till Midnight

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ah, Cam. You make my heart go pitter pat. I'm a sucker for tall, dark, and handsome.

You know me, I love historical romance. I love the strong men and women -- no wilting flowers for me. Amelia was headstrong and intelligent, fiercly loyal to her family, and maintained her independent streak. Cam was caring and strong, and unafraid to express his feelings. All elements I love. And family historical series are the best because you can stay in the same universe where they can all live happily ever after.

Good stuff. I'm looking forward to book 2. 4 stars.

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Review: Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea

Adrift: Seventy-Six Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First of all, let me be clear. I would NEVER have survived 76 days at sea. I wouldn't have survived 76 hours. Possibly 76 minutes. Steven Callahan is super human, or blessed, or both. You know the saying, "God takes care of children and fools"? I believe this holds true here.

He sets sail alone. His boat capsizes and he somehow gets a lot of his emergency supplies (lucky!) and gets into his raft in one piece. And he survives by catching and eating fish, including the eyes. Blech. I would so not have lived. Pass. Steven, you are a strong, strong dude with an especially strong stomach.

Much like his journey, it gets a bit repetitive, and he gets rather maudlin about the fish by the end, but overall a good true survival story, which is my jam. Steven, glad you made it home. What a crazy story you have to tell! 3.5 stars.

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Review: The Sound of Gravel

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this book was upsetting.

I have a sickness for reading sad books, heart-wrenching sagas that make you appreciate your normal, mostly boring life. Most of the polygamist stories I have read have made me want to hug my kids, jump in the car, and start capturing the kids living in Colorado City. This book triggered that for me. I've lived in the Southwestern US for a long time. I've worked with polygamists, and while I don't understand why any woman would be a part of that world, I try to seek to understand. However, the kids are in bad situations, and it makes me so upset to hear their stories. Ruth's family was not the worst, by far, but that isn't saying much. Her step dad was awful, her mother was awful, and I wanted to cry, but I didn't, because I was in public.

This is a time for half stars, and I give this one 3.5. Ruth, glad to see you made it out the other side. You deserve happiness.

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Review: The Sound of Gravel

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this book was upsetting.

I have a sickness for reading sad books, heart-wrenching sagas that make you appreciate your normal, mostly boring life. Most of the polygamist stories I have read have made me want to hug my kids, jump in the car, and start capturing the kids living in Colorado City. This book triggered that for me. Ruth's family was not the worst, by far, but that isn't saying much. Her step dad was awful, her mother was awful, and I wanted to cry, but I didn't, because I was in public.

This is a time for half stars, and I give this one 3.5. Ruth, glad to see you made it out the other side. You deserve happiness.

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Review: Endless Night

Endless Night by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I thought I owned and had read every Agatha Christie book, but somehow I missed this one. It's quite unlike her other work. The first 3/4 of the book is about the main character's relationship, courtship, and marriage, then boom! Typically Christie plot twist. All of the pieces fell together. She really was the master of mystery.

This is seriously one of her most WTF books. Well played, Agatha. I'm still thinking about this one.

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Review: Jackaby

Jackaby by William Ritter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I went in expecting a paranormal Holmes & Watson type romp. I left underwhelmed, yet happy enough to read book 2.

Abigail Rook, newly arrived in America, stumbles into a position with RF Jackaby, observant mystery solver of the strange and paranormal. They make a decent team. I enjoyed Rook's point of view. She's smart, and in the end she saves herself, mostly, and I like that. No shrinking violets here. And there is a hint of romance to come in future books. Not with her boss, because Rook is not a cliché. A decent mystery with a few plot holes but nothing too objectionable. 3 stars.

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Review: A Night to Surrender

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm glad this wasn't the first Tessa Dare book I read, because I was a little underwhelmed. It was ok, but not as great as her Castles Ever After series.

You have the historical romance tropes you would expect. Dominate man, woman determined to be independent and strong but secretly wants to be saved. He is a marshmallow inside as well, and just wants to be held in her loving arms. Barf. But it was very modernist in its view of "women are people too" and "equal rights" and "battle of the sexes". I didn't hate it, and I will probably continue on with the series, but Castles Ever After is better in my opinion.

Decent twists and ok characters, but I wanted more depth. 3 stars.

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Review: Onyx

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A bit of a disappointment after my love for the first book. I'm not a fan of love triangles, girls who slap, and teen angst. I am still a fan of Daemon, however, and I am a completionist so I will go on to the next book.

I listened to this one on audio, and I had been calling Daemon "Damon" in my head, but the narrator called him "Demon" and it threw me off. Every. Damn. Time. No one is called Demon, right? Am I right? Or am I crazy? Anyway...not enough to keep me from book 3, although Katy is far less annoying in print. Hoping there is a different narrator for the next one.

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Review: Dance Hall of the Dead

Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hillerman never disappoints. Leaphorn is such a good egg. I love those western lawmen.

Joe is investigating another murder, but this time in Zuni territory. He's steady, smart, and reliable, as alwasy. And he lets his moral compass guide him to do the right thing, even if he has to blur the lines of the letter of the law. Such a great series, in a beautiful setting, with interesting cultural details and rich characters. Makes me miss living there.



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Review: One Minute to Love

One Minute to Love by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Dame Barbara, you have outdone yourself on this one. A new low.

Take a girl who can see the future, but somehow keeps running into trouble. Take a dashing prince who is in danger of being dethroned. Enter them into a deceptive fake relationship, have them stumble blindly into true love always. Add in a healthy dose of editing typos and you will want to throw this book in the trash.

Rife with the stuttering, ridiculous heroine you would expect. Classic Cartland.

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Review: Death at La Fenice

Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, Venice. City of canals. City of murder. But Commissario Brunetti will get his man in the end.

I like stand-up, moral guys who do the right thing, and Brunetti is the Italian version of my favorite lawman, Walt Longmire. Lawful good is my jam, folks. He solves the crime despite his superiors, red herrings, and roadblocks. I was way off on my assumptions, and I liked the resolution. Well plotted and I enjoyed the details.

New series for me. I like Commissario Brunetti and will definitely continue solving crimes with him.

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Review: The Seven Dials Mystery

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Christie I haven't read. What a delight! Secret societies, social mores, and intrigue. Good stuff.

We get not nearly enough Superintendent Battle, but we get plenty of Bundle, which is fun. I have to admit, I was completely shocked by the end but as I look back, I guess I shouldn't be. That classic Christie twist will get you every time.

A very different feel than Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot. Superintendent Battle may be my favorite, or at least a close second to Poirot. 3.5 stars.

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Review: The Unheards: Memories never die

The Unheards: Memories never die by Akash Bansal
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This was quite possibly the worst book I have ever read. Poor plot, high-school level writing. Exposition and purple prose spilling off the page. Do not read this book. Just don't. It's simply awful.

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Review: Dead Frozen: A Necrose Series Story

Dead Frozen: A Necrose Series Story by Tim Moon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Needed something short for a challenge, and dropped into a zombie world apocalypse. That's a Thursday night for you!

Nothing spectacular here. Some awkward dialogue. An couple of unlikeable characters, but if it launches more about surviving a zombie apocalypse in Alaska, I'll be back. Sounds like book one is different characters, different location (Hawaii, I believe) but same world disaster. I might be back if it fits a challenge.

2.5 stars.

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Review: Cut & Run

Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I waited WAY too long to start this series. I am sometimes a silly girl.

Ty and Zane. Zane and Ty. Love, love, love them. What's not to love? Smart, witty banter. Two hot guys. FBI protectors with scars both inside and out. And a clever case to solve. I have to admit, I was onto the bad guy, and I still have questions about the motivations, but since Zane is impulsive and rash we will never know.

So glad I read this. Great action, hot romance. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it. 4 stars.

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Review: The Restorer

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A new series. Definitely good enough to continue, although I may not go the audio route next time. The narrator kind of drove me nuts--I felt like the accent was forced.

A lot of the book spent time establishing the characters and their backstory, as you would expect. There is foundation built, but questions still remain for future books. We get to understand Amelia. A bit less about Devlin, but since it isn't from his point of view you would expect that. We were left hanging about the two of them, just a taste to get you to pick up the next book in series. I'm ok with that.

I have to admit a couple of the plot twists took me by surprise, but I was listening to the audio so sometimes I miss details in that format. A good dose of paranormal, and a moderate amount of romance. 3 stars.

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Review: The Siren

The Siren by Kiera Cass
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I didn't realize this was her first novel. I went in wanting The Selection and was left disappointed. If you go in knowing this was her first unpublished novel, I think you will enjoy it more.

The story is ok. Sirens. Fantasy. Mythology. All interesting things. But the characters are not fleshed out enough for me, and it felt like a first attempt too often. Which is unfair, because it was her first attempt. The dialogue was off somehow. Amateurish and it pulled me away from the story. But the part that really bugged me was Akinli's name. The spelling, the oddness of it. Every time I saw his name my brain made me stop and sound it out to remind me how to say it. Hey, weird names do that to me. I feel like she would have made a different choice now that her writing has matured, but maybe not.

The story was fine and there is the HEA you would expect. 2.5 stars.

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