Review: The Highlander Takes a Bride

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for a kick-ass heroine. No wilting flowers for me, thanks.

Meet Saidh Buchanan. She rides well, shoots well, and talks like a pirate. Sometimes. But sometimes she's a lady. What a paradox! Now meet Greer. Strong, sexy. A big heart under all of those big muscles. He falls for Saidh. She falls for him. But she isn't looking to be strapped to anyone, and I liked that about her. I also love her rowdy brothers, and thought it added a layer of fun to the story. They are ridiculous.

Mystery and intrigue are afoot, and Greer and Saidh look to figure out what is happening in the castle before it's too late. Will they solve the crime? Will they live HEA? You can guess the answer to both questions, and then read to find out if you are right. (Spoiler...you are). 3 stars. I'll go back and read books 1 & 2 as well.

View all my reviews

Review: Angels Flight

Angels Flight by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great entry in the Harry Bosch universe. Man, he's my kind of detective, but he really can't catch a break with his love life. Poor Harry! I love Bosch because he's lawful good, a kind of everyday Joe who fights for justice and just can't keep his mouth shut when things aren't right. He's one of my book boyfriends. Love them smart, gruff, and principled, I guess.

We have a couple of murders. One with a hot shot lawyer who loved suing cops. And a poor innocent lady in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's a complicated plot, and I have to be honest, I guessed way wrong on this one. I was surprised at the twists, so well played, Connelly. Bosch is awesome, and if you aren't reading this series, start at the beginning and get reading. You can thank me later.

View all my reviews

Review: Unwind

Unwind by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, I needed a while to recover from the end of this book. Still not sure what I want to say.

It's an interesting storyline. Scary to think that the government would allow an atrocity like unwinding, but we have allowed plenty of other awful things to happen that look abhorrent in hindsight. Good, likable characters, with baddies you love to hate. And a really memorable scene towards the end that I want to talk about once you finish, so get reading.

Off to track down book 2.

View all my reviews

Review: Becoming Alpha

Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pretty decent start to a new series. I am going to choose to ignore the insta-love in this case because a) you knew it was coming from the book blurb, b) it's young adult, and it goes with the territory, and c) it worked in a really weird way.

Tessa has a strange condition, and her parents somehow roll with it. Ok. Cool parents, I guess. Turns out she's a witch. Witches and werewolves don't mix, until they do. Then it becomes Hogwarts for wolves and peculiar children, and we are off to the races. With angsty love, because what is high school without it.

Strife, battles, and good vs. evil. Good enough to read book 2 to see where it's going.

View all my reviews

Review: Thicker Than Blood

Thicker Than Blood by Madeline Sheehan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, I must be weird. I have never had a friendship like these two. Always holding hands, and embracing, and kissing each other "hard" on the lips. It makes me think I haven't had a true friend. Their depth of commitment to each other made the story not ring true for me. Or maybe I'm a robot.

I know, I know. It's a zombie book. It's the apocalypse. No one knows because we haven't been there. But the strangeness of the relationship kept pulling me out of the story. I don't think I would have reacted like either of them at any step of the story.

Anyway, I wanted to love you but I think you are just ok. It's not you, it's me. 2 1/2 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: Romeo Alpha, Book 1

Romeo Alpha, Book 1 by Darla Dunbar
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Imagine you are just told you had a long-lost relative who left you a mansion. Do you:
a) ask more questions and go see the house
b) tell yourself it's too much to deal with and wait until tomorrow to find out more

If you choose B, this book is for you. If you choose A, I have saved you 90 minutes of your life. Put this book down and move on. This heroine is too stupid to live. 1 star.

View all my reviews

Review: Dumb Witness

Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Agatha, you've done it again. I was WAY off on this one. I guessed 3 times and was wrong for all of them. But not to worry, my friend Poirot was right on target, as usual. I feel a bit like Hastings, in the dark all of the time.

This one involves Poirot and Hastings coming to the case after the crime occurs. A letter delay, the criminal almost off without punishment, until Poirot catches the scent. And like the dog in the book, he doesn't let go.

Good plot (as usual) and some fun twists and turns. 3 stars.

View all my reviews

Review: The Soulkeepers

The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

So this book. Yeah. It pretends it is a dystopian YA, but it really became more of a religious Christian faith book. Which is all well and good, but it really should be one of the main page genres, Goodreads. While I will read anything, there wasn't much indication from the genre list or book blurb.

Anyway, it was an ok story. Some romance, a little danger, and teen angst. 2.5 stars, but I won't round up to 3 because it might mislead readers.

View all my reviews

Review: Go Ask Alice

Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Man, I'm torn about this book. At first I liked it. Then I hated it. Then, as a parent, I was horrified. Then I was back on board. Then, the ending.

Really not sure what to rate this one yet. I'll be back.

Ok, now I'm back.  Still not loving it.  I am going to give it 1.5 stars, but I'm rounding down in this instance because this would serve as a cautionary tale for NO ONE in this day and age.  It is dated and has not stood the test of time.  Alice, you need to look inside yourself for the answers, and the answer to this one is, get your shit together.  Please.

View all my reviews

Review: Theirs To Eternity

Theirs To Eternity by Barbara Cartland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Babs, you've outdone yourself. Maybe your books on audio are the way to my heart? The stilted prose just disappeared with this narrator and I hated the heroine far less than usual.

Silly plot about gypsies, stolen jewels, and family secrets. Misunderstandings abound, and if the hero and heroine would have just communicated instead of being dumb this book would have been about 15 pages. Anyway, I'm a sucker for the HEA so I'm giving this a rare 2.75 stars, rounding up to 3.

XOXO, Babs. You've finally done it. I'll give you another try on audio.

View all my reviews