Review: Kathy Reichs "Grave Secrets" (Brennan #5)

Publisher: Scribner Book Company

ISBN: 9780684859736

My rating: 3/5

A harrowing excavation unearths a chilling tragedy never laid to rest.
They are “the disappeared,” twenty-three massacre victims buried in a well in the Guatemalan village of Chupan Ya two decades ago. Leading a team of experts on a meticulous, heartbreaking dig, Tempe Brennan pieces together the violence of the past. But a fresh wave of terror begins when the horrific sounds of a fatal attack on two colleagues come in on a blood-chilling satellite call. Teaming up with Special Crimes Investigator Bartolomé Galiano and Montreal detective Andrew Ryan, Tempe quickly becomes enmeshed in the cases of four privileged young women who have vanished from Guatemala City — and finds herself caught in deadly territory where power, money, greed, and science converge. (www.kathyreichs.com)

My thoughts

I'm still not quite warming to Kathy Reichs' writing style, but I have to admit I'm getting more and more interested in her stories.

Now this one was confusing, I have to say, but the bits I was able to follow were good. Tempe Brennan is in Guatemala to uncover details from the country's violent past. But when SCI Galiano asks her for help in a local investigation she hesitantly agrees.

So far so good. With my list of names, I make it through the story and it's good enough to keep me interested. Disappearances of young girls and the attempted murder of one of Tempe's friends.
And then she lost me during the last third of the book. I couldn't follow and things didn't make sense.

A trademark of Kathy Reich is to explain science into the smallest details. Her fans love it ... for me it's sometime to much, but I loved how she made fun of it herself occasionally.

Review: Lee Child "The Hard Way" (Reacher #10)

Publisher: Delacorte Press

 

ISBN: 9780385336697

 

My rating: 5/5

 

 

In Lee Child’s astonishing new thriller, ex–military cop Reacher sees more than most people would...and because of that, he’s thrust into an explosive situation that’s about to blow up in his face. For the only way to find the truth—and save two innocent lives—is to do it the way Jack Reacher does it best: the hard way….

Jack Reacher was alone, the way he liked it, soaking up the hot, electric New York City night, watching a man cross the street to a parked Mercedes and drive it away. The car contained one million dollars in ransom money. And Edward Lane, the man who paid it, will pay even more to get his family back. Lane runs a highly illegal soldiers-for-hire operation. He will use any amount of money and any tool to find his beautiful wife and child. And then he’ll turn Jack Reacher loose with a vengeance—because Reacher is the best man hunter in the world.

On the trail of a vicious kidnapper, Reacher is learning the chilling secrets of his employer’s past…and of a horrific drama in the heart of a nasty little war. He’s beginning to realize that Edward Lane is hiding something. Something dirty. Something big. But Reacher also knows this: he’s already in way too deep to stop now. (www.leechild.com)

 

My rating:

 

Only one word comes to mind after just finishing this story: BRILLIANT. It's one of those stories when you come to the end you breathe out a satisfying "wow" and you're tempted to grab the next Reacher novel.

 

Jack Reacher is in New York City minding his own business when he watches a man walk across the street and drive away in a Mercedes. And that's the start of his next crime to solve. A kidnap of a wife and daughter ... or so it seems.

 

This story has so many twists and turns it makes you dizzy. The crime is being solved with cleverness and less brutality. And Reacher is getting a human side - he's making mistakes. 

 

As I said, it's a page turner and I loved it! Fully recommend it.

 

PS - As much as I like Dick Hill as a narrator (he's REALLY good), his near perfect voice/speech of a person with a handicap was over the top. I couldn't understand a word. It was frustrating at times!

 

This Week's Book Choice: Kelly Martin "Big is Beautiful"

 

Big is Beautiful

by Kelly Martin

 

 

 

 

Blurb:

The seven worst words ever spoken came out of Brittany Gregory's mom's mouth at breakfast, "I signed you up for math tutoring." Sure, she probably needs it (probably nothing, she'll fail without it), but the thought of having to stay in that school longer than she had to every day makes her sick. It's not the school's fault... just the few jerks inside.

Brittany's tutor is none other than Matt Taylor, senior quarterback-- all around hottie. At first, she's shy around him because, hello, Matt Taylor! But as he shows more and more unexpected kindness toward her, Brittany softens around him.

Unfortunately for Brittany, Matt's former girlfriend, the beautifully wicked Kendra Moses, has tormented Britt since eighth grade about her weight. In an unusual moment of brains, Kendra realizes Brittany's initials spell B.I.G.-- a hilarious (to the cheerleader) irony since Brittany isn't the smallest girl at school.

With the Red Ball (Valentine's Dance) approaching, Brittany has to decide if her growing feelings for Matt are real, or if he's secretly been playing a part in Kendra's game all along.


Author:

Kelly Martin a southern girl who writes... a lot. She is the author of SAINT SLOAN and Grace Award winning, CROSSING THE DEEP. By day, she is a teacher. By night, she has her hair in a bun and her fingers on a keyboard. She loves God, is addicted to chocolate, and would rather write than sleep. Kelly loves a good mystery and believes in Sherlock Holmes.

You can find her at http://kellymartinbooks.blogspot.com/

She's also on twitter: https://twitter.com/martieKay

And on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Martin-Author/136506059763138
 

 

BUY LINKS

Barnes and Noble

Astraea Press

Amazon

 

 

 

Review: Jill Shalvis "Blue Flame"

 

Publisher: Forever Yours

ISBN: 9780451411686

My rating: 3/5

IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE HEAT . . .Callie Hayes is the hardworking manager of the Blue Flame, Arizona's most remote, relaxing guest ranch. She's given everything to the ranch, body, heart, and soul-three things that go haywire when her sexy employer suddenly shows up. Their intense, stormy past has taught Callie to never mix business with pleasure. But something about Jake is different now . . .San Diego firefighter Jake Rawlings knows the ranch he inherited from his father is safe in Callie's capable hands. After being injured in a high-profile rescue, Jake decides to recover in solitude at the Blue Flame. He may have left the fires behind, but he hasn't escaped the heat; Callie is just as hot and irresistible as he remembers. Now coming home doesn't seem like the best idea-as the sparks between Jake and Callie threaten to burn out of control . . . (www.jillshalvis.com)

 

 

My thoughts

 



And I continue with my "Jill'athon" - Blue Flame was an extra that came with the recently published "Lucky Harbor" book #7 (Kindle).

It was a quick and easy read. Jake's a fire fighter in San Diego. After an accident while trying to rescue a little boy from a fire he retreats to his ranch he inherited from his late father's. But he doesn't really fit in.

It's one of Shalvis' earlier books and I have to admit, as much as I enjoyed reading the story, it wasn't one of my favourites. I couldn't warm up to either Jake or Callie.

And (!!!) ... we don't get to find out what happens between Tucker and Amy.

 

 

Book Choice of the Week: Sherry Gloag "Vidal's Honor"

 

Vidal's Honor

by Sherry Gloag

 

 

 

Tagline:

Which will Honor lose first? Her head or her heart?

 

Blurb:

When plunged into a world of spies, agents and espionage during the Peninsula wars, Honor, Lady Beaumont, flees for her life when the French capture her husband at Salamanca, and relies on his batman to arrange her safe passage back to England.

Viscount Charles Vidal is ordered by Robert Dumas, the First Lord of the Admiralty, to travel to Spain and escort the only woman he’s ever loved, Lord Devlin Beaumont’s widow back home before the French discover her whereabouts.

Their journey is fraught by danger, least of all knowing whether they are surrounded by friends or foe. Will they survive long enough to explore the possibility of a future together or will whispers of treason be enough to see Honor dispatched to Tyburn first?

 

Excerpt:

While Vidal joked with his cousin, the viscount scanned the room. The smell of fine wine, whiskey and cigar smoke blended into a rich aroma that was as much a part of Whites as the card games, the background chatter, and outbreaks of lewd laughter from the younger members of the club.
One member in particular interested Vidal tonight, and he watched Robert Dundas, second Viscount Melville, and First Lord of the Admiralty, take leave of his friends and head in his direction.

He wondered why the man spent the best part of the night watching his every move, and paused in the act of fobbing his snuff box while he waited for the viscount to join him.

“Take a walk with me?” Although couched as a question, Vidal noted the quiet steel of command in the other man’s voice. Dundas laid a hand on his arm; a companionable gesture for anyone interested enough to observe the two men leaving the club together. “I believe I live not far beyond your own house. I’d appreciate your company, and this is not the place for such a discussion. ”

With an indolent twist of the wrist Vidal returned the modish lacquered box, unopened, to his pocket and nodded agreement. A man’s club was no setting for private conversation, and it was plain the man wanted to talk about something away from flapping ears.

Together they strolled across the room stopping to take leave of several mutual friends.

 

 The Author

Multi-published author, Sherry Gloag is a transplanted Scot now living in the beautiful coastal countryside of Norfolk, England.  She considers the surrounding countryside as extension of her own garden, to which she escapes when she needs "thinking time" and solitude to work out the plots for her next novel.  While out walking she enjoys talking to her characters, as long as there are no other walkers close by.

Apart from writing, Sherry enjoys gardening, walking, reading and cheerfully admits her books tend to take over most of the shelf and floor space in her workroom-cum-office.  She also finds crystal craft work therapeutic.

 

 

 

 Amazon.com  http://tinyurl.com/bpu7o75

 Amazon.co.uk  http://tinyurl.com/cgonnnk

 

smashworlds  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/250882

 

B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vidals-honor/1113726614?ean=2940015900422

 

Book Strand  http://www.bookstrand.com/vidals-honor

 

Kobo  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Vidals-Honor/book-pGNWcYHNukSsEwGrXE4TnA/page1.html?s=_AyuW9PrgUe6i8iafiHdSw&r=9

 

All Romance https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-vidal039shonor-987501-152.html

 

 

Kobo http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Duty-Calls/book-xKbd85N-i0GAyS_3boUQRQ/page1.html?s=6QB2_jmGp0C8JZqlrsuqVQ&r=4

 

 

 

 

This Week's Book Choice: Kay Harborne "The Millionair Plan"

The Millionaire Plan

by Kay Harborne

Tagline:
Love or money? What would you marry for?

Genre:
Romance (clean/sweet)

Back Cover:
Amber Wynters is on a mission to find a millionaire to marry – and fast. Her parents are nearly bankrupt and forced to sell the family home, a beautiful Tudor house that had been in the family for generations. And it’s all thanks to Amber’s ex-fiancé Rod persuading them to invest in his dodgy shares. So armed with a ‘How to Hook a Millionaire’ Book and a ten point plan, she sets off to hook herself a rich husband.

And it’s all thanks to Amber’s ex-fiancé Rod persuading them to invest in his dodgy shares. So armed with a ‘How to Hook a Millionaire’ Book and a ten point plan, she sets off to hook herself a rich husband. Then she meets the drop-down gorgeous Jed Curtess. The attraction between them is sizzling but Jed is only a hired hand on one of the millionaire’s yachts. Can Amber ignore her heart and follow her plan?

Excerpt:

You call that a quick kiss?

She heard him get up but still didn’t trust herself to turn and face him.

“I’ll just go and write up my notes and check through the photos I’ve taken,” he told her. “I’ll be in Mike’s study if you need me.”

“Okay.” She nodded.

The next minute he was gone, leaving her to her thoughts.

Oh, nice one, Amber. Great timing to snog the guy like that when you’ve got got to spend the whole evening together, not to mention tomorrow morning and the boat trip home. Hang on, he kissed me. Yes, but you didn’t have to kiss him back quite so enthusiastically, did you? She cringed as she remembered the way she’d ran her fingers through his hair, pulling his head closer to her. What had

come over her? He’s an attractive guy, and you were just emotional because of the pups. It’s no big deal. Just shrug it off like nothing happened. Jed has. The kiss had obviously meant nothing to him.

She got up and brushed down her shorts, wrinkling her nose at how grubby they were. She wished she’d brought a spare pair with her, and some clean undies too. She didn’t relish wearing the same clothes the next day. Maybe she could swill them through later and hang them to out to dry overnight. Until then she could at least have a wash and touch up her makeup to make herself look a bit more respectable. Now where had she left her bag? Oh no, the study, she realised, where Jed was working. Well, she couldn’t hide away from him just because she — or to be fair, they — had got a bit carried away with a kiss. She was sure that they were both adult enough to handle it.

 

 

Author Bio
The Millionaire Plan is Kay Harborne's second romance novel. She has also written several romance stories for womens' magazines. Better known as children's author Karen King, she has had over a hundred children's books published and written for many children's magazines.


Author links:
Website: http://www.karenking.net/
Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Kay-Harborne/e/B00D5VD6LG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0


Buy links:
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Millionaire-Plan-ebook/dp/B00CB8KX38/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370445260&sr=8-1&keywords=Kay+Harborne
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Millionaire-Plan-ebook/dp/B00CB8KX38/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370445686&sr=8-1&keywords=Kay+Harborne
Astraea Press: http://www.astraeapress.com/#!/~/product/id=22430093
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-millionaire-plan-kay-harborne/1115099583?ean=2940016750293
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/305339

 

 

My Fairies - Three Wishes Blog Blitz

 

 

Today I’m participating in the Three Wishes Blog Blitz, hosted by author Juliet Madison! From 2nd to 6th September you’ll have the chance to win some awesome prizes at all the blogs participating in the blitz, including mine. All you have to do is follow my instructions below for winning the prize I have on offer, and then you can click over to Juliet’s blog to enter her prize draw, and see the list of all other blogs taking part and enter their giveaways as well. How cool is that? Why is it called the Three Wishes Blog Blitz? Juliet’s new romantic comedy release, I Dream of Johnny, is about three wishes, a high-tech genie in a lamp, and one very unfortunate typo that proves magic isn’t all it cracked up to be ....


Wouldn't we all like to have three wishes? Someone who would grant us three wishes?
I love those kind of themes. Three wishes? What would I wish for? Would I go for the monetary wish? Or the success? Is this really what is important in our lives? Money and success?
Three wishes .... oohhh ... endless travel opportunities. I'd say that'd be one wish. I love exploring the world, other countries, meeting people. So, I agree, that involves lots of money. Sorry!
I'd wish for "Scotty's 'beam-me-up' machine" so I could beam myself to be with my family on the other side of the world more often .... Now that's a nice wish. And a real one at that. One last one ... World peace ... just kiddin' ... although it's something we all would probably like to wish for. But what about world full of fairies, rainbows, leprechauns and good luck for everyone. Yes, I think I could settle for these three wishes!

What would you like to wish for?

Leave a comment and I will ask "my fairies" (my two daughters) to choose two winners to win a copy of my latest release "New Beginnings". (Kindle or pdf.)
Let me know if you added the book on Goodreads or you follow me on twitter and I'll give my fairies a little nudge towards your name ;-)

The "Three Wishes Blog Blitz" (Competition) closes at 12pm on Friday 6h September (Sydney, Australia Timezone)

Once you've entered my giveaway, visit Juliet's blog and enter her giveaway, too, and visit any or all of the other participating blogs to enter more prize draws. You could potentially win a whole heap of prizes! Good luck! Visit the official Blog Blitz post here: http://julietmadison.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/3-wishes-blog-blitz-official-post/