Review: Blood Sport

Blood Sport by Dick Francis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was a darker plot than a lot of Dick Francis's novels. It holds up very well for a book written in 1967. You could see it happening in today's world, with less smoking and better technology. This time, our everyman hero is Gene Hawkins, a "civil servant" with a very particular set of skills. He is very good at his job, but struggles with depression. To save him from himself, his boss dangles an irresistible case in front of him - three missing stud stallions have vanished without a trace over the past few years. Could they be related? And can they be found? Well, yes, friends, or we wouldn't have a mystery to solve.

Francis gives a pretty honest perspective of Gene's dark thoughts and how he grapples with life and what to do with the one he has. The supporting characters are well-developed, too. Especially Walt, the insurance investigator who joins Gene on his quest to solve the case and recover the funds to his company. This one takes us from England to all across America, and finally back home again. One of my favorites, and we didn't even really go racing. 4 stars.

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Review: Small Favor

Small Favor by Jim Butcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Harry, Harry, Harry. You will never change, and that's why I love you so much. More sass. More monsters. And more coins floating around Chicago, harassing Murph and Harry. Luckily they have the knights and wardens to help them fight evil.

Marcone is trouble, and Mab calls on Harry to bail him out. He reluctantly helps his frenemy, because he just can't resist the siren's call of trouble. He gathers his band of merry men and women, and they quest on to save the good people of Chicago. And Ivy. And Marcone. Harry makes some missteps and bad decisions, puts everyone in danger, and barely saves the day, as usual. And he gets his ass kicked as many times as you would expect. But what's that I smell around the corner? Could it be romance? Nah, I feel like Butcher is messing with us. Guess we will see in book 11.

You should try these books on audio. So good! Just like you would think Harry would sound. 3.5 stars.

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Review: Crown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2. More Celaena. More intrigue. Twists, turns, deception. Good stuff. This series is great on audio.

Celaena is now the King's Champion. She continues to kick ass, yet be her own person. She can't seem to get her shit together on the romance front, but I'll give her a pass because she led a messed up life during her formative years. She's a good person, but flawed, and I love her. Oh, and speaking of love...Chaol. Ah, Chaol. You are my book boyfriend. You are 100% better than Dorian (stay over there in the friend zone, please, because you will find a perfectly good princess to fall in love with later, I'm sure). You love Celaena, even with her rough edges. You guys are a great match, which I'm sure means there will be love triangles galore in the next few books. I can handle it as long as you get your HEA. I love me a good HEA. I'm a sap. Shut up.

4 stars. Almost scared to start book 3 and ruin my happiness.

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Review: Firestorm

Firestorm by Nevada Barr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Anna, Anna, Anna. You continue to surprise me.

On an assignment from Mesa Verde to assist with the firefighters in Northern California, and she uncovers a killer. Don't worry, my boy Fredrick Stanton attempts to ride in on his white horse, but Anna doesn't need that. She's still not sure what she needs. She's a marshmallow inside, sure, but she's walnut hard on the outside.

Anyway, everyone's a suspect and they all seem shady, except Harold Black Elk who just seemed awesome. And Anna solves the case, puts herself in harm's way, and makes it home mostly in one piece. Can't wait to read book 5. Stanton, I'm pulling for your quirky self.

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Review: A Purple Place for Dying

A Purple Place for Dying by John D. MacDonald
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hop in your time machines, kids, because we are going back to the swinging sixties. Take a ride with my good friend and salvage consultant, Travis McGee. Private Eye and a real cool cat. The ladies absolutely love him.

This is the third book in the series, and while it's fun to go back in time and see what life was like before the technology age, you have to take yourself out the mystery at times. No, he doesn't have a cell phone. No, he doesn't have the internet. No, he doesn't know how to solve crimes with anything but his brains and his brawn.

This time the T-man is in Arizona, not in Florida, and he's deciding if he will help the fair maiden Mona leave her husband, when, blammo! Sniper. Not to worry, folks. Travis is on the case.

Chalk the blatant sexism to the era and just enjoy the ride. Like most of them, 3 stars.

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Review: Graceling

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Surprised how much I liked it by the end! A bit of a slow build up, but I ended up loving how it came together.

Katsa is my favorite kind of heroine. Strong, smart, and flawed. The supporting cast is good, too. Po and Bitterblue help make Katsa who she is by the end. And she is flawed, to be sure. There were times in the book where I wanted to shake her. She has some messed up ideas about marriage, and love, but I'll give the girl a pass because of how she was raised. And the grace system is interesting, so I'll eventually read the other two books. Rounding up my 3 1/2 stars to 4 because I'm sappy and I loved Po.

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Review: IMPACT: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale

IMPACT: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale by Matthew Eliot
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

When will I learn to not get book 2 until I have read book 1? Never, apparently.

Continuing my post-apocalyptic, survival story jam I have going, I picked up books 1 and 2 in the IMPACT series. You see, a meteor storm has pummeled the earth and now there are wraiths roaming around, causing havoc. It's like they are zombies, but they aren't. It's a little confusing and the world building isn't the best. Anyway...

We have three distinct storylines happening. We have our friends in a NORAD type installation. We have a priest struggling to retain his faith in a world gone out of control, and we have two young kids who are really written poorly. In some scenes they act like they are 25 and in others they act like they are 10. Uneven writing all-around, really, but Alice and Adrian drove me nuts the most.

Not so much survival as doom and gloom. Not worth the time. Unless you are a dummy like me and get book 2 when you get book one and are a glutton for punishment.

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Review: Two Winters in a Tipi: My Search for the Soul of the Forest

Two Winters in a Tipi: My Search for the Soul of the Forest by Mark Warren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love soul-searching, back to nature stories. While this didn't necessarily scratch that itch for me, it was a decent read.

Imagine losing everything, and I mean nearly everything, in a house fire. That novel you were working on? Gone. Your clothes? Gone. Your beloved books, trinkets, and keepsakes? Gone. Mark Warren lost everything, and rather than go into debt trying to replicate his old life, he rebuilt it from the ground up. An outdoorsman and educator by trade, he built a tipi and lived in it while he connected with the land and reconnected with himself and what was most important.

A bit preachy and new-agey in places, it was still a satisfying read. 3 stars.

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Review: The Peril and the Prince

The Peril and the Prince by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Dame Barbara veers off of her typical path and adds some spy intrigue to her game. You go, girl!

Now, since it's my old friend Barbara you still get the heroine with the stilted, ridiculous speech and fluttering eyelids. The woman can't write any other way. And the love interest is bossy and overbearing, but makes our heroine's virgin heart go pitter-pat regardless. We get the exotic settings of castles and trains in Hungary and Russia, and some undercover spy work that will never be confused with James Bond, but is still fun.

Barbara cranked them out and I keep reading them. I have no one to blame but myself. 2 1/2 stars.

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Review: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America Along the Appalachian Trail

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America Along the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Follow Bryson and his friend down the A.T. Watch them hike, out of shape and unprepared. Listen to them bicker and moan about hunger. And learn a little bit about the history of the trail and environmental issues as you traverse the US.

Mostly interesting, I found some parts to be boring, a few exceedingly so, but still a good read. If Bryson's goal was to get my old butt to want to get back on the trail and connect with nature, then mission accomplished. Three stars.

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11/22/63

11/22/63 by Stephen King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Wow, wow, wow. Hop on those butterfly wings, because we are going on a crazy ride through time.

What if you could go back in time? Would you do it? I don't think I would, especially to change a major event in history. It's just too risky. King spends 800+ pages exploring how unraveling one thread of time could have impact, both large and small. The butterfly effect says changing one thing changes countless others, as Jake quickly discovers. But the past doesn't want to be changed, and Jake has to make a lot of hard choices to complete his mission.

An interesting look at alternative history, journey with Jake back to the 50s and 60s to stop the Kennedy assassination. Its worth the read.






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Open Season (Joe Pickett #1)

Open Season by C.J. Box

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Dear Sheriff Longmire, please don't be mad at me for cheating on you with another Wyoming lawman. He meant nothing to me, I swear!

I was set up on a blind date with Joe Pickett, Saddleback Game Warden and family man. We had a good time. I mean, Joe is lawful good, to an extreme. He's a good husband, father, and morally in the right. Plus Wyoming is always a good time for an outdoors-lovin' girl like me. The mystery was solid and I will continue the series, but I think Joe and I will remain "just friends". My heart belongs to the more impulsive, mature, and headstrong Walt Longmire. He's the Wyoming lawman for me.

I just didn't get into Joe like I do Walt. Joe is a bit of a sad sack. I need my book boyfriends to be strong and confident. If you have ever read the Hamish Macbeth series, Joe reminded my of him. Likable, but not someone to fall in love with. Anyway, I will continue hanging out with Joe when I have some downtime, because why not?



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Half a King (Shattered Sea #1)

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


What do you do when you are the second son of a king, and one born with a crippled hand, to boot? Well, you think you would take your vows and join the ministry. However, life seldom works out as you planned. Your father and brother are both killed, and you must step up and take the crown. Wait...what's that? Betrayal and treachery lie dead ahead? Well, that's life giving you lemons once again. Poor Prince Yarvi!

Good solid entry to the series. We journey with Yarvi as he travels the road and determines where his loyalties, and choices lie. What is more important? Revenge? Family? Friendship? Read it and find out what he decides. 3 1/2 stars.





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O Jerusalem (Mary Russell #5)

O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


More adventures with Holmes and Russell, but in this installment we jump back in time to events in the second book that were not shared with us. We know they spent time in Jerusalem but we don't get to see what happens there. This book takes to the events they shared while they were hiding out.

It's a pretty good story. I like their companions, especially Mahmoud. Something was missing for me, however, and I just can't put my finger on it. I think it was because Holmes and Russell didn't really seem to be partners on this one. There was a distance between them and you just couldn't see that spark. But overall still an enjoyable read.



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The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Astronauts. Space. Survival. This book hits all of the right notes for me. There was very little chance I wasn't going to enjoy it.

I liked it. I liked it a lot. Mark Watney was a fun character. He's smart, he's courageous, and he's funny. I have a little bit of a book crush on him right now. Smart-asses who are intelligent, resourceful, and brave make my heart go pitter-pat. If you have ever met my husband, he's a lot like Mark Watney. Sigh.

However...I wish I had read this sooner. I kept picturing Matt Damon as I read, and this might have slightly influenced my crush. Now I'll never know if I love Mark Watney for who he is or for who is portraying him. Either way, it was fun ride.

Good book--really good. It's a fairly quick read and I'm really looking forward to the movie now. Don't let me down, Matt Damon! (Who am I kidding? He never does. Matt, don't be mad. I love you!)



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Captain's Fury (Codex Alera #4)

Captain's Fury by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Hail Gaius Octavian! We journey back to Alera, and lots of things happen. To everyone.
Tavi is outed. Kitai still kicks ass, and I love her. Everyone gets character development, and the world grows. If you are reading this series, you obviously love it so I don't need to sell you on how great it is. If you aren't, you shouldn't be reading a review for book 4 in a series, so move along. Nothing for you to see here.

A love letter to Jim Butcher:

Dear Jim,
Alera is my favorite place, and you are my favorite author. I love you. Not in a scary stalker, wear your face as a mask way, but in a let's be best friends and have coffee and you can tell me all of your book ideas kind of way.

P.S. Please don't contact the authorities, I am harmless. But let's be best friends. Call me!





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Any Other Name (Walt Longmire #10)

Any Other Name by Craig Johnson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Walt, Walt, Walt. You almost get beaten up more than Harry Dresden, but not quite. Harry gets his ass kicked on the regular more than anyone.

This time Walt should be on his way to Philly to welcome his grandbaby into the world. What is he doing instead? Solving a case. With Lucian. And a little assist from Vic and Henry. My favorite everyman's hero does it again, Wyoming-style, and solves the case, which turns out to be two cases. Extra bonus for Henry being the best sidekick ever and I enjoyed the cop / investigator guy who helps them figure it out by the end.



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The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Reading my way through the classics and thought I would dive into my first Hemingway. I can't say I was disappointed.

We journey to Cuba to fish with Santiago, the old man of said title, and go with him out to the sea. Santiago has had a bit of a dry spell, not catching anything for 84 days. 84 days! What is this poor old man living on? Well, nothing but the kindness of Manolin, his sometimes apprentice. Determined to turn his luck, Santiago heads far out to search for a big catch.

Part man vs.nature, part reflections from an old man on a long life, this final book by Hemingway has many layers. I liked it. 3 stars.



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Love is Dangerous

Love Is Dangerous by Barbara Cartland

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a different sort of Barbara Cartland romance, one with a bit of a mystery and intrigue. And limited stilted dialogue, so it didn't break my brain.

Melina is working as a secretary in Morocco, and is dismissed out of jealousy. Insert eye-rolling here. Dame Barbara, your age is showing. But worry not, as her balcony is invaded by a dashing young man on the run. She gamely jumps to his rescue and they embark on a tale of intrigue and drama. Bing (Bing, really?) isn't very nice, but somehow she falls for him anyway. And then we encounter a Deus ex machina so large we need a separate room for it. As with all Cartland romances, the ending will be abrupt and you will wonder what hit you when it was done.

Giving this an extra star due to her controlling herself around--the stilted--dialogue she--loves and the twist on a late 60's spy novel.



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Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera #3)

Cursor's Fury by Jim Butcher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I adore everything about this series. Jim Butcher, I love you. Not in a weird, trap you in my basement way, but in a "thank you for building this world and these characters and sharing them with us" way.

Tavi has graduated from the Academy and is now serving Gaius Sextus and Alera as a cursor for the realm. He is sent undercover as Captain Rufus Scipio to work with the First Aleran Legion and quickly finds himself fighting to preserve the Realm and their way of life. Classic Tavi, always smack in the middle of conflict.

Almost all of your favorites are back, and there are some major character developments by the end. Some of the battle scenes wind on for too long, keeping me from rating this 5 stars, but it is still the Alera you know and love. The battle scenes are crucial for moving the plot to the next book so hunker down and get through them because the payoff at the end is perfect. Once you finish, you will immediately want to start on the next book...the sign of a great series.



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