Under a Raging Moon (River City Crime Novel)
by Frank Zafiro (Goodreads Author)

Dec 25, 2014  

3 of 5 stars

A violent robber is loose in River City. Meet the cops that must take him down.

Stefan Kopriva, a young hotshot. Katie MacLeod, a woman in what is still mostly a man’s world. Karl Winter, about to retire but with one more good bust left in him. And Thomas Chisolm, a former Green Beret who knows how dangerous a man like the Scarface Robber can be.

These are the patrol officers of River City – that mythical thin blue line between society and anarchy. They must stop the robber, all the while juggling divorces, love affairs, internal politics, a hostile media, vengeful gang members and a civilian population that isn’t always understanding or even grateful.

Review:

This book was ok. I thought there would be more action and twists in it but it wasn't enough for me. I found the characters to be confusing as to who was who. Also I found the book to be choppy. It kept going back and forth between the crime and the personal lives of the police officers. I wish it held more of my attention. I read the Kindle version of the book.

Moonlight Road (Virgin River, #11)
by Robyn Carr (Goodreads Author)

Dec 13,  20 14 

4 of 5 stars

 

Read in December, 2014

WITH HER BELOVED YOUNGER SIBLINGS SETTLED AND HAPPY, ERIN FOLEY HAS EMPTY NEST SYNDROME. AT AGE THIRTY-FIVE.

So she's hitting the pause button on her life and holing up in a secluded (but totally upgraded --- she's not into roughing it!) cabin near Virgin River. Erin is planning on getting to know herself ... not the shaggy-haired mountain man she meets.

In fact, beneath his faded fatigues and bushy beard, Aiden Riordan is a doctor, recharging for a summer after leaving the navy. He's intrigued by the pretty, slightly snooty refugee from the rat race --- her meditating and journaling are definitely keeping him at arm's length. He'd love to get closer ... if his scruffy exterior and crazy ex-wife don't hold him back.

But maybe it's something in the water --- unlikely romances seem to take root in Virgin River ... helped along by some well-intentioned meddling, of course

My review:

I like the VR series but I did not find this book to be as engaging as the other books in the series. I liked reading about Erin and Aiden's relationship however, I didn't need to read about their love making escapades. It seems like all books with some romance become too graphic and don't add to the plot. They get old after awhile. I usually quickly scan over these parts.

I did like the last 100 pages or so because of the suspense and figuring out what the outcome of the story would be and I was pleased with the outcome. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Angel's Peak (Virgin River, #10)
by Robyn Carr (Goodreads Author)

Nov 28, 2014

4 of 5 stars

FOUR YEARS AGO, AIR FORCE SWEETHEARTS FRANCI DUNCAN AND SEAN RIORDAN REACHED AN IMPASSE. SHE WANTED MARRIAGE AND A FAMILY. HE DIDN'T. BUT A CHANCE MEETING PROVES THAT THE BITTER BREAKUP HASN'T COOLED THEIR SIZZLING CHEMISTRY.

Sean has settled down in spite of himself --- he's not the cocky young fighter pilot he was when Franci left, and he wants them to try again. After all, they have a history ... but that's not all they share.

Franci's secret reason for walking away when Sean refused to commit is now three and a half: a redheaded cherub named Rosie who shares her daddy's emerald-green eyes. Sean is stunned --- and furious with Franci for the deception.

News travels fast in Virgin River, and soon the whole town is taking sides. Rebuilding their trust could take a small miracle --- and the kind of love that can move mountains

My Review:

I liked this book which is book 10 of the Virgin River Series. By this point I feel like the characters are my friends. I am half way through the series. I have been leaving too many long time gaps in reading of The Virgin River books. When I pick up another book in the series, I have to try to remember who the characters are and how they fit into the books. There are so many different characters. Usually the author does a pretty good job in bringing you back to what happened in the previous books. In this book, I don't feel she did as great a job. Maybe I just let too much time go before I picked this book up. I need to have more continuity as I go through the books. Anyhow, I liked finding out more about the lives of the citizens of Virgin River. Each book focuses on some of the characters who live in VR. As I read these books,I often wonder if there is any place just like VR. There is such closeness between the families. I don't know if that is good or bad but they are always there for one another. It's like one big happy family. I was surprised about some of the events of this book. One such case is the relationship between Maureen and George. It happened way too quickly and I felt it was too unrealistic. It should be interesting to see what happens next in the lives of the citizens of VR.

Rating 3* out of 5*

The Beach House (The Beach House #1)

Georgia Bockoven aims straight for the heart in a tale as timeless as waves beating against the shore. The beach house is a peaceful summer heaven, a place to escape mundane troubles. Here, four families find their feelings intensified and their lives transformed. With equal measures of heartbreak and happiness, this unforgettable story tells of the beauty of life and the power of love, and speaks to every woman who has ever clung to a child or loved a man.

When thirty-year-old Julia, mourning the death of her husband, decides to sell the Santa Cruz beach house they owned together, she changes the lives of all the families who rent it year after year. Teenaged Chris discovers the bittersweet joy of first love. Maggie and Joe, married sixty-five years, courageously face a separation that even their devotion cannot prevent. The married woman Peter yearns for suddenly comes within his reach. And Julia ultimately finds the strength to rebuild her life--something she once thought impossible.

My Review:
This book was the first book I read by this author.  I read it as an E-book.  Since I love the beach , I thought I would enjoy the story.  I enjoyed reading about some of the people ,who rented the beach house, and their   troubled lives and relationships.  I was getting confused about who was who because of all the characters.  The book was ok but I wish it held my attention  better.

My rating:

*** stars

One Last Dance

The Seagrave sisters were about to come home to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of their parents' marriage. Instead, they are attending their father's funeral -- and their mother's trial for his murder...With more than three million copies of her novels sold, Eileen Goudge is already renowned for her rich, compelling sagas of women's lives. Now, with One Last Dance, she reaches a new level of drama, suspense, and passion -- and new heights of bestsellerdom!

My Review:
I thought the book was good but not as engaging as I would have liked it to be. .  It does tell a tale of the  secret   lives of the characters.  It was interesting to figure out their secrets and to finally find out what they were.  The book just didn't grab me.

The Promise (Thunder Point, #5)
by Robyn Carr (Goodreads Author)

Oct 25, 2014  

4 of 5 stars

Read in October, 2014

Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it's time to move on from his loss. But as the town's only doctor, the dating scene is awkward. That is, until a stunning physician's assistant applies for a job at his clinic.

Peyton Lacoumette considers herself entirely out of the dating scene. She's already been burned by a man with kids, and she's come to Thunder Point determined not to repeat past mistakes. When Scott offers her a job, at a much lower salary than she's used to, Peyton is surprisingly eager to accept…at least for now. She's willing to stay for a three-month trial period while she explores other options.

Scott and Peyton know the arrangement is temporary—it isn't enough time to build a real relationship, never mind anything with lasting commitment. But love can blossom faster than you think when the timing is right, and this short visit just might hold the promise of forever.

This is the 5th book to the Thunder Point Series. I enjoyed this book as well as the others. It involved real life situations which made it realistic. Peyton and Scott (the main characters) were able to help each other overcome their past relationships and eventually fall in love with one another. It was a very touching story.

Mending Fences
by Sherryl Woods

Oct 06, 2014  

4 of 5 stars

Read in October, 2014

Two families--bound by friendship-- devastated by secrets for ten years Emily Dobbs and Marcie Carter have been the closest of friends. They've raised their kids together, shared joy and heartache, exchanged neighborhood gossip over tea. But when Marcie's son, now a college freshman sports star, is arrested for date rape, the bond between the families could be shattered forever.

As the Carters try to deal with the unthinkable, Emily discovers her daughter has been hiding a terrible secret--a secret that threatens the futures of both families. Recently divorced, Emily struggles to keep it all together--to support her terrified daughter, to maintain her friendship with Evan's mother and to have faith in the detective who could change all of their lives.

When things seem darkest, both she and Marcie discover that sometimes the first step toward a better future is mending fences with the past.

My review:
I liked this book. First of all, I was familiar with the setting since my daughter lived in the area. So when I was reading the description of the setting, I could relate to it and say to myself, I know where that is.

This is an intense story that includes date rape, divorce, friendship, mental and verbal abuse to name just a few. The characters are strongly developed and you are made to feel like an observer in the room instead of a reader. Even the subject matter was tough to read about, it made me think of what I would do if I was in a similar situation. Thank goodness I never had to deal with them.

Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross, #2)
by James Patterson (Goodreads Author)

Sep 02, 20 14  

5 of 5 stars

Read from August 31 to September 02, 2014

The second book in the #1 bestselling Alex Cross series! In Los Angeles, a reporter investigating a series of murders is killed. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a beautiful medical intern suddenly disappears. In Washington D.C. Alex Cross is back to solve the most baffling and terrifying murder case ever. Two clever pattern killers are collaborating, cooperating, competing--and they are working coast to coast.

My Review:

This book really was a page turner for me. Not only was it an horrific crime story but it was full of terror and twists. I found myself really getting into the mystery and also felt I was taking part in solving the crime. I felt my heart pounding at some of the gruesome parts in the book. I am looking forward to reading book 3 of the Alex Cross series.

The Chance (Thunder Point, #4)
by Robyn Carr (Goodreads Author)

Aug 14,20 14

3 of 5 stars

With its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she'll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge.

Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he's a man with a dark past, he's determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep…unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.

My Review:

I liked reading the continuing story of Laine's life. It was quite different from what I expected it to be. I also liked her relationship with Eric and how she helped change his life around. Another thing I liked was how things changed with her relationship with her dad unfortunately due to sad circumstances.
I felt bad about Justin's struggles, but admired him for his family devotion.
The only thing is, I had trouble getting through the book. It didn't grab me enough and found I was putting it down quite often. Maybe it is just time for a new genre, like suspense. I will go back to the next 2 books in the series.

1225 Christmas Tree Lane
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author), Sandra Burr (Narrator)

Jul 29, 2014  

3 of 5 stars

Read from July 19 to 29, 2014

The people of Cedar Cove know how to celebrate Christmas. Like Grace and Olivia and everyone else, Beth Morehouse expects this Christmas to be one of her best. Her small Christmas-tree farm is prospering, her daughters and her dogs are happy and well, and her new relationship with local vet Ted Reynolds is showing plenty of romantic promise.

But...someone recently left a basket filled with puppies on her doorstep, puppies she’s determined to place in good homes. That’s complication number one. And number two is that her daughters Bailey and Sophie have invited their dad, Beth’s ex-husband, Kent, to Cedar Cove for Christmas. The girls have visions of a mom-and-dad reunion dancing in their heads.

As always in life — and in Cedar Cove — there are surprises, too. More than one family’s going to have a puppy under the tree. More than one scheme will go awry. And more than one romance will have a happy ending.

My Review:

This book was good but I didn't like it as much as the other books in the series. I felt the series could have ended at book 11. It didn't keep my interest as the others did. This book was a summation of all the other books in the series. It was getting old after awhile. There were so many characters in the books and it was hard to remember everyone's story and relationships with one another.The ending was happy as I predicted. No surprises at all. I am kind of glad The Cedar Cove Series has ended.

The Hero (Thunder Point, #3)
by Robyn Carr (Goodreads Author)

Jul 16, 2014 

5 of 5 stars

Read from July 06 to 16, 2014

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need.

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he's not looking for anything else. Instead, he's thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point's high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he's gentle and kind...just the kind of man who could heal Devon's wounded heart.

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it...and sometimes, you find a hero.

My review:

This is the third book of the Thunder Point series. I feel that this is the best book of the series so far. There is some suspense in it and I like that element in a book. I liked reading about how the character's lives continue from the first and second book in the series. I liked to see how the characters worked on their trials and tribulations in their lives and how they were there for one another. There were real life situations in the book. For the most part, I liked the characters. I also liked to predict what would happen in their lives and to see if I was right. I am looking forward to reading book 4 in The Thunder Point series.

The Wanderer (Thunder Point, #1)
by Robyn Carr

Jun 22, 2014  

4 of 5 stars

Read from June 17 to 22, 2014, read count: 2 

 

This book is a re- read  for me.  Robyn Carr has continued writing The Thunder Point series.  I read the first 2 books in the series last summer.  I still have to read  # 3 and #4 in the series.  The books are sitting on my bookshelf.  The next two books are coming out this summer.  Since I wanted continuity in the series, I decided to read books 1 and 2 over again.  I usually don't do this but I am glad I have  so I can refresh my mind with all the events that are leading up to books  #5 and #6.  Have any of you ever done this before?

The Real Life Mary Poppins: The Life and Times of P.L. Travers
by Paul Brody, LifeCaps

Jun 01, 2014  

2 of 5 stars

Read on June 01, 2014

Among twentieth century authors, P. L. Travers was by far the most productive and famous to hail from the British colony of Australia. After a brief and modestly successful acting career, she moved to London and pursued her own brand of journalism. She was a well-regarded drama critic and travel author, and she became friends with many influential writers and thinkers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Eventually, she found her greatest voice in the form of Mary Poppins, the mysterious and powerful Edwardian nanny. Thirty years after the first Poppins adventure is published, Walt Disney produced a live-action movie version, which has ingrained itself forever in the popular imagination.(

My Review:

I wanted to read this book because I saw the movie "Saving Mr. Banks." I saw that P.L. Travers was not an easy person to deal with. It took Walt Disney a long time before she would consent to the filming of "Mary Poppins" and only on her terms. I wanted to know why she was so difficult. This book was not what I expected. It briefly told me about her accomplishments but not enough info as to why she became the person she was. I was expecting more details. The book only had 70 pages so I read it in one sitting.

1105 Yakima Street (Cedar Cove, #11)
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author)

May 31,2014 

4 of 5 stars

Read from May 24 to 31, 2014

Synopsis: You’ve probably heard that my wife has left me. Rachel’s pregnant, and she says that she can’t handle the stress in our household anymore. My thirteen-year-old daughter, Jolene, is jealous of her. Maybe it’s my fault. As a widower I spoiled her – Jolene was reading over my shoulder just now and says that’s not true. She claims Rachel ruined everything. But that’s not true. The real question is: How can I get my wife back? I don’t even know where she is. She’s not with Teri Polgar or any of her other friends from the salon. The other question is. . . when will Jolene grow up and stop acting like such a brat? Of course, I’m not the only one in town with problems. Linc Wyse’s father-in-law is trying to destroy his business. And you know Charlotte Rhodes? Seems she’s becoming forgetful, and the family’s worried about her and Ben. Lots of other stuff going on – but Rachel is better at keeping up with it than I am. If you have any idea where my wife is, please give me a call. Please. —Bruce Peyton

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this 11th book of The Cedar Cove Series. I like how I got to read about the continuing lives of the Cedar Cove residents. I feel like all of them are my friends.I read other books in between the books of this series but Debbie Macomber had a way of reminding me about the lives of all the residents and what their relationship issues were. The issues are very realistic. Some of the characters I really liked while others annoyed me. This book has cliffhangers which I am looking forward to seeing what the outcomes will be.

Four Friends
by Robyn Carr

 

4 of 5 stars

Read from May 15 to 20, 2014

Spoilers---

Gerri can't decide what's more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it's time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealing—it's transforming.

Andy doesn't have a great track record with men, and she's come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja's lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he's through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There's no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it's BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.(less)
Paperback, 384 pages.

My review:

I liked this book because I enjoyed reading about 4 friends who were there for each other. As each one went through their marital problems, the others were there to help them through the problem. I was surprised to learn about BJ's past.She had to overcome so much more then Sonja, Gerri and Andy. I felt sorry for her, but I was glad to see how she turned it around in a positive way. Sonja had so much to deal with too when her husband left her. She was a definite mess that required group therapy. She was a danger to herself. BJ noticed the problem and alerted Gerri and Andy. Once again they were there to help her. I enjoy reading Robyn Carr's books even if they are not part of a series.

 

Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #1)
by Louise Penny

May 12, 2014

3 of 5 stars

 

Read from April 26 to May 10, 2014

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montréal and yet a world away. Jane Neal, a long-time resident of Three Pines, has been found dead in the woods. The locals are certain it’s a tragic hunting accident and nothing more but Gamache smells something foul this holiday season…and is soon certain that Jane died at the hands of someone much more sinister than a careless bow hunter.

My Review:

Louise Penny is a new author for me. This book is part of a detective series and I believe it is one of her first written books. I love this genre because it makes me feel like one of the detectives trying to solve the crime mystery. This book was good, but it went a little to slow for me. I didn't find it to be a page turner until the last 50 pages or so. I like how she gave clues as to who may have committed the crime. They all seemed very likely as to who the killer might be. I wasn't too surprised by the ending since I felt I knew who committed the crime. I will try reading other books by Louise Penny since she came highly recommended to me.

Just One Look
by Harlan Coben

Apr 20, 2014 

4 of 5 stars

Read from April 13 to 20, 2014

An ordinary snapshot causes a mother’s world to unravel in an instant. After picking up her two young children from school, Grace Lawson looks through a newly developed set of photographs. She finds an odd one in the pack: a mysterious picture from perhaps twenty years ago, showing four strangers she can’t identify. But there is one face she recognizes—that of her husband, from before she knew him. When her husband sees the photo that night, he leaves their home and drives off without explanation. She doesn’t know where he’s going, or why he’s leaving. Or if he’s ever coming back. Nor does she realize how dangerous the search for him will be. Because there are others interested in both her husband’s past and that photo, including Eric Wu: a fierce, silent killer who will not be stopped from finding his quarry, no matter who or what stands in his way.

Her world turned upside down, filled with doubts about her herself and marriage, Grace must confront the dark corners of her own tragic past she struggles to learn the truth, find her husband, and save her family.

My Review:

This is the 16th Harlan Coben book I have read. His books are filled with lots of suspense, mystery and twists in the plot. Just when you think you have solved the mystery (crimes) the plot twists. He really keeps you guessing until the end with lots of surprises. I like how he brings all the clues together and solves the mysteries at the end of the book. His books are real page turners. He is definitely one of my favorite suspense writers.

Forbidden Falls (Virgin River, #9)
by Robyn Carr

4 of 5 stars

Read from April 08 to 12, 2014

VIRGIN RIVER IS ABUZZ WITH THE NEWS THAT A STRANGER BOUGHT THE TOWN'S ABANDONED CHURCH ON EBAY. THE BUYER, A YOUNG WIDOWED REVEREND, IS A LITTLE LIKE THE BUILDING ITSELF: IN NEED OF SOME TENDER LOVING CARE.

Noah Kincaid arrives ready to roll up his sleeves and revitalize his new purchase, but he's going to need some help. An ad in the local paper brings and improbably candidate his way.

"Pastor's assistant" is not a phrase that springs to mind when Noah meets brassy, beautiful Ellie Baldwin. With her colorful clothes and even more colorful past, Ellie needs a respectable job so she can regain custody of her children. Noah can't help but admire her spunk and determination, and she may just be the breath of fresh air he needs.

The unlikely duo may come from two different worlds, but they have more in common than anyone would have expected. And in Virgin River lasting happiness is never out of the question.

My Review:

This the 9th book in the Virgin River Series. It has been a while since I read #8 but Robyn Carr has a way of bringing the reader back to the previous events and characters. I like how she interweaves the previous characters into the next installment in the series.

I found this book to be so-so for most of it, but the last hundred pages was a different story. There was some drama in it and it made me want to keep going to see the outcome of the story. It ended on a positive note for all the characters.

Missing You
by Harlan Coben

Apr 07,20 14 

5 of 5 stars

Read from April 06 to 07, 2014

It's a profile, like all the others on the online dating site. But as NYPD Detective Kat Donovan focuses on the accompanying picture, she feels her whole world explode, as emotions she’s ignored for decades come crashing down on her. Staring back at her is her ex-fiancé Jeff, the man who shattered her heart—and who she hasn’t seen in 18 years.

Kat feels a spark, wondering if this might be the moment when past tragedies recede and a new world opens up to her. But when she reaches out to the man in the profile, her reawakened hope quickly darkens into suspicion and then terror as an unspeakable conspiracy comes to light, in which monsters prey upon the most vulnerable.

As the body count mounts and Kat's hope for a second chance with Jeff grows more and more elusive, she is consumed by an investigation that challenges her feelings about everyone she ever loved—her former fiancé, her mother, and even her father, whose cruel murder so long ago has never been fully explained. With lives on the line, including her own, Kat must venture deeper into the darkness than she ever has before, and discover if she has the strength to survive what she finds there.(less)

My Review:

I found this book to be fast-paced, engaging, thrilling, and suspenseful. This is why I like Harlan Coben so much because all his books are suspenseful. He gave lot of clues throughout the book which made me feel like the detective trying to solve the crime(s.) Everything came to together at the end with lots of surprises. My reaction was wow" when I finished the book.

The Innocent
by Harlan Coben

Mar 17, 2014  

5 of 5 stars

Read from March 08 to 17, 2014

You never meant to kill him….

One night, Matt Hunter innocently tried to break up a fight—and ended up a killer. Now, nine years later, he’s an ex-con who takes nothing for granted. His wife, Olivia, is pregnant, and the two of them are closing on their dream house. But all it will take is one shocking, inexplicable call from Olivia’s phone to shatter Matt’s life a second time….

My Review

Unlike some authors, Harlan Coben doesn't save up his twists for the end, he scatters them liberally throughout the book. Nearly every chapter ended with a surprise, keeping me waiting until he returns to it later. He uses this cliff-hanger approach which made me want to read on to see what would happen next. He still managed a big twist at the end which was definitely a surprise.
This book had so many characters and situations to keep straight that I find I should have been writing notes for myself which wouldn’t be the first time I had to do that. I felt like I was a detective trying to solve the crimes and twisted plot. This book is one of his stand alone novels and just as good as his Myron Bolitar series.

Meet Me in Venice
by Elizabeth Adler

Mar 05, 2014  ·  

5 of 5 stars

bookshelves: 2014-new-authors-for-me

Read from March 02 to 04, 2014

Living in Paris, American antiques dealer Precious Rafferty learns that a cousin in Shanghai she's never met, Lily Song, has a family heirloom necklace for sale on the black market. But, others looking to make a profit are out to steal it for themselves. The two decide to meet in Venice to figure out who they can trust.

This was the first book that I read by Elizabeth Adler and I really liked it. I found it to be a fast read that was intriguing, suspenseful and included deception, a mystery, and romance. The setting took place in Shanghai, Venice and Paris. I like how the mystery was solved in the end. Even though there was some sadness in the book, I was still happy with the ending.

1022 Evergreen Place (Cedar Cove, #10)
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author)

Feb 27, 2014 

3 of 5 stars

Read from February 23 to 27, 2014

I didn’t like this 10th installment of the Cedar Cove Series as much as books 1-9 in the series. The storylines were getting repetitive. Examples are marriages in less than 6 months of meeting one another. The most ridiculous one was Lync and Lori Bellamy. They got married within a few weeks of meeting one another.
Another thing that bothered me was the unplanned pregnancies of 7 of the characters, 5 of which were out of wedlock. It gets old after a while.
Then there were the situations of the characters meeting one another and pushing each other away to come back later on as a couple.
I liked the characters more in the first 6 books of the series. Now there were too many being introduced and it wasn’t easy to remember their situations because of the choppiness of the chapters. It would have been easier to read all about a couple’s situation first before moving on to the next couple's situation and going back and forth between their relationships. Does that make sense?
There were 3 characters that I absolutely did not like. Jolene was one of them because she was a spoiled teenage brat. Then there were Leonard Bellamy , who was too manipulative with his daughter’s happiness and David Rhoades who was a stalker and obnoxious mean person.
I will be finishing the series with book 11 and 12 since there are cliffhangers and unanswered questions. I need to finish them by July 19th since season 2 of The Cedar Cove Series will be televised on The Hallmark Channel. I am going to take a break though and go on to other books before going back to book 11 and 12.

92 Pacific Boulevard (Cedar Cove, #9)
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author), Sandra Burr (Narrator)

Feb 14, 2014  

3 of 5 stars

Read from February 05 to 14, 2014

There 12 books in The Cedar Cove Series. Each address belongs to one character or couple and the main story or mystery revolves around him, her or them while all the other characters continue to make an appearance and continue forward with their lives. From when the series began most of the characters are the same although their lives have changed. This book deals with Sheriff Troy Davis and Faith Beckwith who was his first love but due to circumstances they ended up happily married to other people. Both are now widowed. A misunderstanding took place in the last book and they are still working through the fall-out plus Troy is trying to solve the case of the 25 year old skeleton found in a cave by two teenagers as well as looking for the person responsible for vandalizing Faith's rental home. Olivia is still fighting cancer and Ben continues to have problems and to be disappointed by his grown son David.

MY REVIEW

These characters feel like my friends since this book is the ninth book in the series. I feel like I have been drawn into the character's lives.

The only issue I have is that Troy and Faith's relationship has been too drawn out between the last book and this book. It was getting old already. This installment was suppose to focus on them, but the other relationships were also delved into just as much as Troy and Faith's courtship.

Each book in the series does introduce new characters and their situations and relationships with one another. Sometimes they are a good addition and sometimes they are not. The situation that was the most ridiculous and unrealistic was when Linc decided to get married to some woman he helped on the side of the road. That woman was Lori who very recently broke off her engagement with a man who turned out to be a thief. She asks Linc to marry her almost immediately after meeting him. Even Linc is in shock over her proposal since he had no interest in ever getting married. I assume that in the next book of the series, it will be revealed as to why she wanted this hasty marriage.

This book was not my favorite in the series.

Next,I will be going on to book 10 of the series. I need to follow up with the cliffhangers that were left in book 9.

 

8 Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove, #8)
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author)

Feb 03,2014

5 of 5 stars

Read from January 31 to February 03, 2014

This is the 8th book in The Cedar Cove Series. In order to get into the lives of the characters, the books should be read in order. Each book builds on the previous books. The reader learns more about the characters' lives. This book focused on the lives of Pastor Flemmming and his wife, Emily. We learn of their financial issues and how their marriage was almost destroyed. We also learn more about Olivia Griffin, family court judge, and her health issues which are very sad. We learn more about Sheriff Troy Davis and his issues which will be developed more in the next book of the series. Bobby Polgar and his wife Teri play a bigger role in this book than previously. Some of the characters that were introduced in the prior books are also part of this book. It was interesting to see how their lives are progressing. This book introduced two new characters, Shaw and Tanni. I am interested to see how their relationship develops.

This book definitely kept my interest up and I was able to read it quickly even though it had 370 pages . I like how the author left cliffhangers about five of the couples. It makes the reader want to go right onto the next book in the series which I will be doing

2014 Reading Challenge

  I have read 8 of 50 books

12%

12%

2 books ahead of schedule

Silent Night: A Spenser Holiday Novel (Spencer, #42.5)
by Robert B. Parker, Helen Brann, Joe Mantegna

Jan 31, 2014 

3 of 5 stars

It's December in Boston, and Spenser is busy planning the menu for Christmas dinner when he's confronted in his office by a young boy named Slide. Homeless and alone, Slide has found refuge with an organization named Street Business, which gives shelter and seeks job opportunities for the homeless and lost. Slide's mentor, Jackie Alvarez, is being threatened, and Street Business is in danger of losing its tenuous foothold in the community, turning Slide and many others like him back on the street. But it's not a simple case of intimidation—Spenser, aided by Hawk, finds a trail that leads to a dangerous drug kingpin, whose hold on the at-risk community Street Business serves threatens not just the boys' safety and security, but their lives as well.

Unfinished at the time of his death, Silent Night was completed by Parker's longtime agent, whose decades-long association with Parker's work gives her unique insight and perspective to his voice and storytelling style. Her contribution also speaks volumes about their enduring friendship.

My REVIEW

I thought this was a very simple mystery to read without a lot of depth or details. It was a quick read and didn't have twists like I enjoy in other mysteries. Even so, I did enjoy it. This is the second Spenser Series book I have read. As you can see above this is book 42.5 in the series. From what I understand the books do not have to be read in order. From what I understand as well is that the old TV show "Spenser For Hire" is a take off from these books. I never watched the show.

Moloka'i
by Alan Brennert (Goodreads Author)

Jan 26, 20 14  

5 of 5 stars

Read from January 20 to 26, 2014

This richly imagined novel, set in Hawaii more than a century ago, is an extraordinary epic of a little-known time and place---and a deeply moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. It covers an 80 year span from 1891-1970.

Rachel Kalama, a seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, dreams of visiting far-off lands like her father, a merchant seaman. Then one day a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, and those dreams are stolen from her. Taken from her home and family, Rachel is sent to Kalaupapa, the quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i. Here her life is supposed to end---but instead she discovers it is only just beginning.

MY REVIEW

I found the book to be heartbreaking and uplifting, following the story of Rachel Kalama. With death all around her she still showed incredible strength and courage for herself and others. She dealt with each challenge and was a positive influence to all those around her. I admired her bravery in dealing with her illness and not letting it take over her life.

I also enjoyed this book because it opened my eyes to a problem, to which I had never given much thought to, even though it was unpleasant. I learned much about the leper colony on this small island of Hawaii. It was also very detailed and many of the political figures and certainly the locations were factual. I learned about Hawaii's history over the 80 year span.

There were themes of religion, culture, family life and politics within the book. I also like how the book ended even though the last 20 years were rushed through.

Since there were so many Hawaiian words throughout the book, I would have liked if the author included a glossary of the terms in the back of the book.  It would have definitely helped me!

Walking Shadow
by Robert B. Parker

Jan 16, 2014  

4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: 2014-new-authors

Read from January 12 to 16, 2014

A theater manager is being stalked by a mysterious figure and asks Spenser to help. Before he can start investigating, an actor is shot and killed on stage during a performance. An actress also complains of being followed. While he’s trying to figure out exactly what’s going on, Spenser gets threatened by the leader of the local Chinese gangs. After surviving a hail of bullets, Spenser and Hawk turn to gunman and gangster Vinnie Morris for assistance.

My Review:

Robert Parker is a new author for me. I am going to add him to my list of good detective story writers. A friend of mine gave me the book to read since I like the detective genre. This one did not disappoint me. It was an easy read that kept me guessing until the end. I did have some hunches though as I read through the book. Apparently, this is one of the books from The Spenser Series which includes 39 books!! I would imagine if I go back to the first book in the series, I will get some background information about the characters and the situations they have been through.

The only thing that annoyed me was the overuse of the word "said." It was constantly "I said, She said, or He said." There are lots of words that can be used to substitute for the word "said.

Fairy Tale Weddings: Cindy and the Prince / Some Kind of Wonderful
by Debbie Macomber (Goodreads Author)

Jan 11, 2014 

3 of 5 stars

Read from January 08 to 11, 2014

Fairy Tale Weddings contains two previously published Debbie Macomber novels. Cindy and her Prince is a modern retelling of Cinderella and Some Kind of Wonderful is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

My Review:

I usually don't like to read two stories in one book but this book was an exception. Cindy and Her Prince was ok, but I didn't particularly care for the story line. It was unrealistic to me because Thorne fell in love with Cindy almost instantly. I guess that is what makes the story a fairy tale but she was annoying to me since she couldn't make up her mind about their relationship.

Some Kind of Wonderful really held my attention more. The story line was more developed and more intense at times. I was drawn right into it from the beginning. I like how the two leading characters were there for each other and were influential in changing each others lives for the better.

Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, #1)
 

Jan 07, 20 14  

5 of 5 stars

Read from January 04 to 07, 2014

A missing little girl named Maggie Rose . . . a family of three brutally murdered in the projects of Washington, D.C. . . . the thrill-killing of a beautiful elementary school teacher . . . a psychopathic serial kidnapper/murderer who is so terrifying that the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police cannot outsmart him - even after he's been captured.

Gary Soneji wants to commit the crime of the century. Alex Cross is the brilliant homicide detective pitted against him. Jezzie Flanagan is the first female supervisor of the Secret Service who completes one of the most unusual suspense triangles in any thriller you have ever read.

Alex Cross and Jezzie Flanagan are about to have a forbidden love affair--at the worst possible time for both of them. Because Gary Soneji is playing at the top of his game. The latest of the unspeakable crimes happens in Alex Cross's precinct. It happens under the noses of Jezzie Flanagan's men. Now Alex Cross must face the ultimate test: How do you outmaneuver a brilliant psychopath.

My Review:

I really liked this book a lot since I enjoy reading suspense,mystery, and crime books. It was definitely a page turner for me. The chapters were only a few pages long which I like when reading books. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. Gary was definitely a sick cookie. The crimes he committed were horrific. There were some surprises throughout the story. I plan on continuing to read The Alex Cross series.

A Secret Splendor
by Sandra Brown (Goodreads Author)

Jan 02, 2014  

3 of 5 stars

bookshelves: new-to-me-authors, 2014-new-authors-for-me

Read from December 30, 2013 to January 02, 2014

She is a mother searching for her child . . .

After the death of her little boy, Joey, Arden Gentry feels a terrible emptiness. Divorced and devastated over the loss of her son, Arden is utterly alone.

But she has another son -- a child she agreed to give up at birth to save her marriage and her family from financial ruin. Now that Joey is gone, Arden is convinced that the son she'd never held could ease her overwhelming heartache.

After years of monitoring his whereabouts, Arden leaves Los Angeles behind and goes to Maui, where her son is currently living. But in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, Arden starts to doubt her decision to contact him. Because she knows that finding him could resurrect all the half-truths, secrets and unspeakable lies that surrounded his birth.

My review:
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the beginning chapter when the plot was introduced and I definitely liked the last 60 pages. I couldn't put it down. I was really into those parts.

The middle of the book was unrealistic to me. The way the 2 main characters fell in love so quickly was ridiculous. I do like how they both had self esteem issues and they were able to help one another overcome them. However, the explicit sex scenes, I could have done without. I found myself scanning over those parts since they became repetitive and they were fill-ins for the plot.

Without giving too much away, I was really annoyed with one of the characters since he was a dirty rotten scoundrel.