Sunday, February 28, 2010

Nursery Crimes by Ayelet Waldman

Nursery Crimes by Ayelet Waldman

My Rating: 5 *'s

Description: A public defender turned stay at home mom, Juliet Applebaum is bored with playdates and trips to the park --- so near the end of her second pregnancy, she gets off the mommy track to track down a murderer....

Juliet isn't too surprised when her feisty, tantrum throwing two year old daughter doesn't get into Hollywood's premier preschool ---- but she's shocked and suspicious when the school's principal is killed in a hit and run accident. Against the advice of her screenwriter husband, and with her rambunctious toddler in tow, Juliet heads to the local playground to dig up some dirt on a disgruntled studio executive whose daughter wasn't offered a place in the school. But she has some surprising new suspects to consider when her investigation takes her into a seedy online newsgroup --- and the most dangerous parts of the human heart....

My Thoughts: I like the premise of the public defender now a stay at home mom moonlighting as a detective. I thought the heroine, Juliet, had several "too stupid to live" moments by placing herself and her unborn baby in harm's way on more than one occasion. I'm hoping that this is a temporary personality flaw in the character and one I won't see repeated in the next book.

Eternity In Death by J.D. Robb

Eternity In Death by J.D. Robb

My Rating: 10 *'s

Description: When club-hopping bad girl Tiara Kent is found dead in her plush Manhattan apartment, the killing has all the earmarks of a vampire attack. The ever-practical Lieutenant Eve Dallas has to deal with superstitious cops carrying garlic and stakes, as well as the ever-hysterical press. None of the wealthy young victim’s friends seem to know much about the Dark Prince she has been secretly seeing. The chase to stop him before he kills again will lead Eve and her team into areas of the city that not even the most intrepid cop wants to visit, and into the very heart of darkness.

My Thoughts: A short installment that finds Eve, Roark, Peabody, McNab and Feeney going up against a man who, to all appearances, is a vampire. Eve is determined to prove he's not but instead prove he's just another cold blooded psychopathic killer who believes he's one of the walking undead. A little different than the usual style of previous Eve Dallas cases, but this one delivers on all fronts.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Undead And Uneasy by MaryJanice Davidson

Undead And Uneasy by MaryJanice Davidson

My Rating: 8 *'s

Description:
You are cordially invited to the wedding of

Elizabeth Anne Taylor and Sinclair

607 Summit Avenue
Midnight
July 4, 2007

RSVP by June 25, and don't be one of those jerks who doesn't RSVP and then shows up with three people. Seriously.

In the days leading up to The Big Day, Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor seems to have a full house --- and the wedding guests have yet to arrive. Along with her human buddies, there's a ghost, a werewolf, and a Fiend crashing at her place. And though her fiance, Vampire King Eric Sinclair, conveniently disappears when the conversation turns to seating charts and flower arrangements, he does manage to make his oh-so-sexy presence known at other moments.

Betsy knows the next few weeks won't be smooth sailing --- but she never expects just what's in store for her. Cold feet are no surprise, especially with an undead groom. But when Sinclair truly goes missing --- and not just to avoid wedding preparations --- along with most of her friends and loved ones, Betsy is frantic. Alone and afraid for the fate of everyone she loves, Betsy can't trust anyone as she tries to find them and whoever is behind all the disappearances.

My Thoughts: The day we've all been waiting for has arrived. Betsy and Sinclair's wedding but the groom has disappeared. Along with everyone else living in the house. Add to that, Betsy has to deal with an unexpected loss in her family and the new responsibilities that brings. In addition, Antonia's werewolf pack descends on Betsy looking for Antonia and this is the last thing she needs! She still has to find the perfect wedding dress!

This kind of stress would turn the most calm and serene of brides into a raving Bridezilla, but Betsy handles it with her usual humor and style befitting the Queen of the Vampires.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Murder Between The Covers by Elaine Viets

Murder Between The Covers by Elaine Viets

My Rating: 7 *'s

Description: Once on the fast track to success, Helen Hawthorne is going nowhere faster. Forced to trade in her chic life for a shabby one, she's now on the run, jumping from city to city and dead-end job to dead-end job, trying to stay one step ahead of her past....

Helen has a new job "off the books" at Page Turners bookstore in Fort Lauderdale. It's run by Page Turner III, who happens to be neither well-read nor well-liked. When his money troubles surface, it seems the store's long life may be over --- but it's Page's life that's cut short instead. He had plenty of enemies, including an unhappy wife and unfortunate employees. But it is his unforgiving lover --- Helen's wacky neighbor --- police are ready to throw the book at. To save her friend, Helen will have to read between the lines ... and uncover the truth about a clever killer.

My Thoughts: One of the things I am enjoying about this series is seeing what dead end job Helen finds herself working with each book. In this one, I was pleased to see she is working at a bookstore, though I wouldn't consider that in and of itself a dead end job, but for Helen, it is when her boss, the owner of the store, is murdered and her friend becomes the prime suspect.

The story isn't heavy on the mystery and it doesn't take long for the reader to figure out who the culprit could be. The journey getting to that final destination is quite entertaining as the various neurotic and bizarre characters come out of the woodwork.

As long as the reader goes in expecting the predictable, this will be an interesting and entertaining read.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb

Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb

My Rating: 10 *'s

Description: The death of history teacher Craig Foster devastated his young wife, who'd sent him off to work that morning with a lovingly packed lunch. It shocked his colleagues at the Upper West Side private school. And as for the ten-year-old girls who found him in his classroom in a pool of bodily fluids, they may have been traumatized for life.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas, of course, is more hardened to murder cases. And this is clearly a murder case. That lovingly packed lunch was tainted with deadly ricin. And Mr. Foster's colleagues, shocked as they may be, have some shocking secrets of their own. It's Eve's job to get a feel for all the potential suspects, and find out why someone would have done this to a man who seemed so inoffensive, so pleasant...so innocent.

Now Magdelana Percell - there's someone Eve can picture as a murder victim. Possibly at Eve's own hands. The slinky blonde - an old flame of her billionaire husband, Roarke, from his days on the wrong side of the law - has turned up in New York, and she's anything but innocent. Unfortunately, Roarke seems blind to Magdelana's manipulation, but not to her shapely figure and flirtatious ways. And he insists that the occasional lunch or business meeting with her is nothing to worry about...and none of Eve's business. Eve's so unnerved by the situation that she finds it hard to focus on the Foster case. Still, she'll have to put aside her anger, jealousy, and heartbreak, for a while at least - because another man has just turned up dead, and the case is taking some strange turns and hitting some frustrating dead ends.

Eve knows all too well that innocence can be a facade. Keeping that in mind may help her solve this case at last. But it may also tear apart her marriage.

My Thoughts: I'm not sure if WOW sums up effectively the reactions and feelings this book brought out of me. This installment so far has to be the most shocking out of the entire series. Eve has seen her share of the evil in the world. She has lived through it and survived it and brought so many of the perpetrators of evil to justice. The identity of this villain comes as a major shock and surprise to everyone around Eve, but not Eve. Nothing shocks or surprises her when it comes to the evil in people. But she maintains a cool head and goes after the killer with cunning and direct precision that left me impressed with her skill and reeling in surprise at the same time.

Equally impressive is the way Eve deals with a woman from Roark's past whose intentions are not as friendly and innocent as she would like us to believe. Eve shows a very human and vulnerable side of her while trying to understand her emotions and deal with the situation so it doesn't destroy her marriage. I especially enjoyed that Somerset and Eve were on the same side for a change when it came to this situation. Fans of this series will continue to appreciate the witty sarcasm and insults exchanged between them as well as the humor at Eve's discomfort around Mavis's baby.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Wife In The Fast Lane by Karen Quinn

Wife In The Fast Lane by Karen Quinn

My Rating: 9 *'s

Description: Christy Hayes is a case study in successful living. She's won two Olympic gold medals, built a multimillion-dollar business, and landed a gorgeous and powerful CEO husband. But Christy's dream life begins to unravel when she inherits custody of an eleven year old girl named Renata. Suddenly she finds herself battling three formidable opponents: a treacherous business partner bent on ousting her from the company she founded, a ruthless stay at home mom who'll stop at nothing to maintain her PTA power base, and a stunning single woman scheming to steal her husband. Throw in the demands of one high maintenance spouse and it's clear: something's got to give. But what? Her marriage? Her career? Her sanity?

My Thoughts: Interesting story of a woman who bites off more than she can chew when she inherits custody of her housekeeper's eleven year old granddaughter on top of being CEO of a demanding multi-million dollar company and wife of a powerful mover and shaker in his own right.

The best lesson of this book is the "rule of two." Love, Career, Children: pick two. I found this to be so true of women in the world today wanting and having it all and needing to prove to themselves and everyone that they can have it all. It can be done, but unfortunately, not without consequences.

I recommend this book to all women, who are living life in the fast lane. Remember to take a moment and reflect on your life and to assess that your life's passions are the things you are devoting your time and energy to.

Monday, February 01, 2010

New Additions To The TBR Pile in January

Do you remember that New Year's resolution I made to read more books than I acquire? LOLOLOLOLOL Sherri, you are a funny, deluded yes, but funny girl. I'm off to a great start on breaking that resolution, but what the hell. Can't turn my back on these homeless books, now could I? What kind of bibliophile would that make me?


You Had Me At Goodbye by Tracey Bateman

Description: Everything is on the line for aspiring editorial diva Dancy Ames when she's fired by her publisher. Could this be the time to risk it all on her writing career--and maybe even love?

Dancy Ames has an enemy: Jack Quinn. The man who swoops in, steals her dream job at Lane Publishing, and fires her, saying she just doesn't have what it takes to be an editor. Now that she's unemployed, Dancy must find a new career. Coffee barista, English teacher, literary agent. Hmm. Maybe she'll write a novel--a nasty invective, featuring a relentless job-stealing, coffee-drinking stalker who falls in love with a coffee barista. She's got time on her hands, so when her friends dare her to send Jack a proposal, under an assumed name, she takes them up on it. If he likes it, she'll have her ultimate revenge. But what will she do when it turns out that Jack is interested in her book--and maybe more?


This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

Description: With This Charming Man, Marian Keyes hits her stride as a novelist with her best novel yet, telling the stories of four women who are shaped by one man

Paddy de Courcy is Ireland's debonair politician, the "John F. Kennedy Jr. of Dublin." His charm and charisma have taken hold of the country and the tabloids, not to mention our four heroines: Lola, Grace, Marnie, and Alicia. But though Paddy's winning smile is fooling Irish minds, the broken hearts he's left in his past offer a far more truthful look into his character.

Narrated in turn by each woman, This Charming Man explores how their love for this one man has shaped their lives. But in true Marian Keyes fashion, this is more than a story of four love affairs. It's a testament to the strength women find in themselves through work, friendship, and family, no matter what demons may be haunting their lives. Depression, self-doubt, domestic abuse—each of these women has seen tough times in life, and it's through Keyes's wonderful storytelling ability that these subjects are approached with the appropriate tone and candor. Her deft touch provides a gripping story and, ultimately, a redemptive ending.


The Chocolate Lover's Club by Carole Matthews

Description: FORGET DIAMONDS --- CHOCOLATE IS A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND.

Some women are addicted to shopping. Others can't get enough of champagne. But there's one thing that Lucy Lombard can't live without, and that's chocolate --- rich, creamy, delicious chocolate. Sharing her passion are three other addicts: Autumn, Nadia, and Chantal. Together they form a select group known as the Chocolate Lovers' Club. Whenever there's a crisis, they meet in their sanctuary, a cafe called Chocolate Heaven, and with a cheating boyfriend, a flirtatious boss, a gambling husband, and a loveless marriage, there's always plenty to discuss. By turns hilarious and heartrending, The Chocolate Lovers' Club brings together four unforgettable women from totally different worlds united in their passion for chocolate.


The 8th Confession by James Patterson

Description: As San Francisco's most glamorous millionaires mingle at the party of the year, someone is watching--waiting for a chance to take vengeance on Isa and Ethan Bailey, the city's most celebrated couple. Finally, the killer pinpoints the ideal moment, and it's the perfect murder. Not a trace of evidence is left behind in their glamorous home.

As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed--a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge. Probing deeper into the victim's history, she discovers he may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.

As the hunt for two criminals tests the limits of the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly between Cindy and her partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women's Murder Club now faces its toughest challenge: will love destroy all that four friends have built? The exhilarating new chapter in the Women's Murder Club series, The 8th Confession serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revelations as only James Patterson can.


Permed To Death by Nancy J. Cohen

Description: Marla was already having a bad hair day, but when one of her clients dies while getting a perm at her salon, her day just can't get any worse... until the smugly competent Detective Vail accuses her of poisoning the wealthy widow's coffee creamer! Granted, Bertha Kravitz was hardly her favorite customer, but Marla could have never murdered the ornery woman. Now it's up to the savvy stylist to find out just who did. With a dollop of humor and a dab of suspense, Nancy J. Cohen introduces a sassy, stylish sleuth as Marla leads readers on a dizzyingly fast-paced romp in this satisfying first installment of The Bad Hair Day mysteries.



Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb

Description: The death of history teacher Craig Foster devastated his young wife, who'd sent him off to work that morning with a lovingly packed lunch. It shocked his colleagues at the Upper West Side private school. And as for the ten-year-old girls who found him in his classroom in a pool of bodily fluids, they may have been traumatized for life.

Lieutenant Eve Dallas, of course, is more hardened to murder cases. And this is clearly a murder case. That lovingly packed lunch was tainted with deadly ricin. And Mr. Foster's colleagues, shocked as they may be, have some shocking secrets of their own. It's Eve's job to get a feel for all the potential suspects, and find out why someone would have done this to a man who seemed so inoffensive, so pleasant...so innocent.

Now Magdelana Percell - there's someone Eve can picture as a murder victim. Possibly at Eve's own hands. The slinky blonde - an old flame of her billionaire husband, Roarke, from his days on the wrong side of the law - has turned up in New York, and she's anything but innocent. Unfortunately, Roarke seems blind to Magdelana's manipulation, but not to her shapely figure and flirtatious ways. And he insists that the occasional lunch or business meeting with her is nothing to worry about...and none of Eve's business. Eve's so unnerved by the situation that she finds it hard to focus on the Foster case. Still, she'll have to put aside her anger, jealousy, and heartbreak, for a while at least - because another man has just turned up dead, and the case is taking some strange turns and hitting some frustrating dead ends.

Eve knows all too well that innocence can be a facade. Keeping that in mind may help her solve this case at last. But it may also tear apart her marriage.




50 Ways To Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom

Description: Jazz cant decide whether to scorch him with a fireball or jump into bed with him

Jasmine Tremaine is a witch who can't stay out of trouble.

Nikolai Gregorivich is a drop-dead gorgeous vampire cop on the trail of a serial killer.

The sizzling love affair between Jazz and Nick has been off-again-on-again-for about 300 years. Mostly off, lately. But now Nick needs Jazzs help, and while Jazz and Nick try to figure out their own hearts and resist their ever-increasing attraction, they must steer clear of a maniacal killer with super-supernatural powers. They are surrounded by a hilarious cast of oddball paranormal characters, including Norma, the chain-smoking ghost who haunts Jazzs sports car, Dweezil, her ghoul of a boss, and Fluff and Puff, a pair of bunny slippers with sharp teeth and short tempers (watch your ankles)!

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I am not a professional reviewer, but I love to read and share my opinions on my reading with others who are interested. I work full time but my ideal perfect day would be to curl up with a good book. The majority of the books I review here are from my private collection and my reviews are provided purely for entertainment purposes. I receive no compensation whatsoever for sharing my thoughts and review on any book. If you would like me to review your book, please email me at sharalsbooks@yahoo.com Happy Reading! :o)