Saturday, June 30, 2012

REVIEW: How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Title: How Nancy Drew Saved My Life
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Publisher: Red Dress Ink
Publication Date: September, 2006
Genre: Chick-Lit
Rating: 5/10

Description: Broken, smashed and stomped in the mud. That's how Charlotte Bell's heart ended up the last time she let her emotions heat up on a nanny assignment. So taking a new position in frigid Iceland, working for Ambassador Edgar Rawlings, might be just what Charlotte needs in order to heal up--and chill out.

This time, she's determined to be intrepid and courageous. She's even read all fifty-six original Nancy Drew books in preparation. Unfortunately, she's neglected to find out anything about Iceland or to look into the background of her oddly compelling employer.

When Charlotte stumbles onto the trail of a mystery that only she can solve, she'll need every shred of Nancy's wisdom to keep her life--and her heart--safe

My Thoughts: One of the many joys of reading is the travel destinations. For the first time ever, I got to travel to Iceland with Charlotte Bell when she accepts a nanny position with the U.S. Ambassador. Initially, this story is very vague where Charlotte is concerned. Though Charlotte was a child celebrity, she had a less than happy childhood, growing up in her Aunt’s home. She never feeling accepted and is someone who is looking for love and acceptance, usually in the wrong place. Unfortunately, she wears her heart on her sleeve and falls for the wrong guy. When she returns home after a very painful breakup, she is left to ponder her life and the choices she makes. Why can’t her life run smoothly? She begins to think she needs to be more like Nancy Drew, who never has a hair out of place and always find the answers. Charlotte even purchases every book in the Nancy Drew series to try to figure out what she needs to do.

Charlotte accepts a nanny position with the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland and though she’s pretty confident she knows how Nancy Drew will respond in any given situation, Charlotte has no clue about the country she will be living in, the language or the people she will be interacting with. I found this part amusing.

Upon first meeting him, I was less than impressed with Charlotte’s employer, Edgar Rawlings. Maybe it’s the fact he’s referred to as “The Master” that put me off. I did enjoy the scene when they first meet only because they don’t know who each other is. My favorite character is Annette. She comes across much wiser than her years and isn’t, at all, a brat. My biggest annoyance with this book is that Charlotte has fallen for and slept with, not one, but TWO of her employers! Charlotte has some serious Daddy issues. Charlotte’s mother died in childbirth and her father pretty much abandoned her in a loveless home while he took off to Africa to work. Nobody’s life is perfect, but why does she have to sleep with her boss?

Once I could get past the whole integrity flaw of sleeping with her boss, I was able to enjoy the story, for the most part. Charlotte learning how to drive was amusing. In spite of her bad decisions with her love life, Charlotte is a survivor and shows a lot of determination and some fearless courage when she has to.

The story ends with a lot of questions for me. I wish there had been more closure as to what happens with Charlotte, Edgar and Annette. If you are looking for some light summer reading and sleeping with your employers do not bother you, you could give this one a try. If you are wondering what Nancy Drew would do, check out her books instead.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

REVIEW: Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

Title: Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum, #18)
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: November, 2011
Genre: Contemporary Myster, Mystery
Rating: 8/10

Description: Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s life is set to blow sky high when international murder hits dangerously close to home, in this dynamite novel by Janet Evanovich.

Before Stephanie can even step foot off Flight 127 from Hawaii to Newark, she’s knee deep in trouble. Her dream vacation turned into a nightmare, she’s flying back to New Jersey solo, and someone who sounds like Sasquatch is snoring in row 22. Worse still, her seatmate never returned to the plane after the L.A. layover. Now he’s dead, in a garbage can, waiting for curbside pickup. His killer could be anyone. The FBI, the fake FBI, and guns-for-hire are all looking for a photograph the dead man was supposed to be carrying.

Only one other person has seen the missing photograph—Stephanie Plum. Now she’s the target, and she doesn’t intend to end up in a garbage can. With the help of an FBI sketch artist Stephanie re-creates the person in the photo. Unfortunately the first sketch turns out to look like Tom Cruise, and the second sketch like Ashton Kutcher. Until Stephanie can improve her descriptive skills, she’ll need to watch her back.

Over at the Bail Bonds Agency it’s business as usual—until the bonds bus serving as Vinnie’s temporary HQ goes up in smoke, Stephanie’s wheelman, Lula, falls in love with their “largest” FTA yet, lifetime arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt moves into Stephanie’s apartment, and everyone wants to know what happened in Hawaii?!

Morelli, Trenton’s hottest cop, isn’t talking about Hawaii. Ranger, the man of mystery, isn’t talking about Hawaii. And all Stephanie is willing to say about her Hawaiian vacation is . . . It’s complicated.

My Thoughts: The 18th installment of the Stephanie Plum series picks up not long after 17 ends. Stephanie comes back from Hawaii with a tan line on her ring finger, where an obvious ring was being worn for some time. When questioned about it repeatedly by everyone, Stephanie keeps it under wraps by stating “it’s complicated.”

Interestingly enough, the ring or lack thereof and possible mysterious marriage isn’t the central plot of the story. Neither is the fact that Joe and Ranger both went to Hawaii and Stephanie came home after they punched each other out. About halfway into the book, Stephanie gives a very watered down explanation about what happened, but there should have been more. I wanted more…especially where Ranger is concerned, but there wasn’t, much to my disappointment and frustration. As more of this story opens up and unfolds, the more I am destined to be frustrated as I am sure Stephanie is frustrated. Even still, Stephanie has the best of both worlds at her feet. Two hot, hunky men who think she’s the bee’s knees isn’t really a problem and I know at some point she will eventually choose one of them (maybe), but until then I am enjoying watching her be frustrated.

The arrival of Joyce Barnhardt at Stephanie’s door is one aspect of this story that should have annoyed me, but didn’t. Joyce is Stephanie’s biggest nemesis, but I never in a million years would have expected Stephanie to allow Joyce to move in! Although, Joyce doesn’t really give Stephanie much choice in the matter as she is one of Stephanie’s FTA’s and promises to turn herself into Stephanie in exchange for Stephanie’s help.

I’ve come to expect the wacky and zany with this series and that’s exactly what Explosive Eighteen delivers. I have learned that I can put up with a lot of nuttiness for my Ranger fix. I just wish there was more Ranger appearances. The series seems to focus on Joe getting face time with Stephanie and though that’s my guess as to who she will end up being with, I am just not ready for Stephanie to make that choice yet.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

REVIEW: Just Murdered by Elaine Viets

Title: Just Murdered (A Dead-End Job Mystery #4)
Author: Elaine Viets
Publisher: Signet
Publication Date: May, 2005
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 5/10

Description: When Helen Hawthorne takes a job at upscale Millicent's Bridal Salon, she expects to see some sentimental tears as brides pick out their gowns. But when a rich, obnoxious mother-of-the-bride named Kiki is killed, it seems most of the tears are fake. When Helen's fingerprints are found on the murder weapon---a wedding dress---she must solve the case to prove her innocence.

Is the murderer Kiki's money strapped ex-husband? The bride, who finally got tired of letting Mom run the show? Or one of the boy toys promised a million dollars in the will? Helen better find out quick---and make sure Kiki's funeral outfit doesn't clash with the groom's mother's...

My Thoughts: Just Murdered finds Helen now working at a bridal boutique and neck deep in all the drama that the wedding dress selection entails. While reading this, I found myself visualizing a television program I have enjoyed watching called “Say Yes to the Dress.” Several times on this show, the bride’s mother (usually) moves Heaven and Earth to try to upstage the bride. A lot of fighting and arguments ensue, sometimes shouting matches even, and always lots of tears. The same can be said of this book. But unlike the TV show, the mother of the bride is murdered and the murder weapon is none other than a bridal gown!

Sadly, out of all the tears that are shed, none are for the victim. I have to say, I wasn’t crying over her demise either. The victim is a rich, arrogant tramp who makes out with her chauffeur on the street in plain sight of anyone walking by. She’s condescending to Helen and her employer, Millicent. She’s rude to just about everyone. She’s cold and cruel to her daughter. She’s vindictive to her ex-husband. Personally, I expected a horde of people lining up to kill this woman. Unfortunately for Helen, the police seem to be focused on her as their prime suspect since her fingerprints are all over the wedding gown. Frankly, the law enforcement element in this book leaves a lot to be desired. I found myself thinking throughout the book, “Hello, Detective, OF COURSE Helen’s fingerprints are on the gown, you nit-wit, she works for the bridal boutique and is helping to dress the bride!” Helen even emphasizes this fact to them, but they seem to be a few sandwiches short of a picnic, so of course, Helen is going to have to figure out who the killer is on her own.

Helen’s new man in her life won’t be much help either. Apparently, his wife that nobody, especially Helen, knew about has shown up for an unexpected visit and Helen is livid. I thought she handled the entire situation poorly. If she would have taken 5 minutes to listen to him, the entire mess could have been resolved. There is an interesting scene where Helen finds herself on the receiving end of some embarrassment when she tries to surprise Phil but his wife one-ups her. Frankly, I could have done without this story line. Helen’s luck with relationships is a big fat zero so to my way of thinking, she should just focus on keeping her rent paid and feeding herself and her cat, Thumbs. Helen’s near obsession with the whole thing was over the top and was distracting her from focusing on finding out who the killer is. Since I’m not all that thrilled with the Phil relationship anyway, I couldn’t care less if he’s married. Helen shouldn’t be throwing rocks from inside her glass house anyway. She’s got lots of secrets herself that she hasn’t been forthcoming with anyone about. Pot and kettle and all that.

I’m still invested in this series, though I’m not sure why. Maybe Phil will grow on me and Helen might actually get herself on track and get her past resolved so she can focus on a smooth future. In the meantime, she manages to muddle her way through, finds the killer without getting herself killed or at the very least, seriously hurt. There are currently eleven books in this series, so I haven’t even gotten halfway through yet. A lot can happen between now and then. I can say with absolute certainty that I enjoyed this dead-end job better than her last one. Helen’s next job is at a pet boutique so I’m hopeful that this series hasn’t yet gone to the dogs.

Friday, June 08, 2012

REVIEW: Treachery In Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Treachery in Death (In Death, #32)
Author: J.D. Robb
Publisher: Putnam
Publication Date: February, 2011
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Rating: 10/10

Description: In the latest from the #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon, Eve Dallas tracks down those who break the law—including the ones sworn to uphold it.

Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime—an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. This is Peabody's first case as primary detective—good thing she learned from the master.

But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound—she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked—guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down—knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

My Thoughts: Eve and the gang are back investigating an unwarranted attack on an elderly man and his wife who own a grocery store. The man is killed and Eve gives Peabody her first shot as primary detective. Being cops and seeing the worst side of humanity can make anyone cynical, but when the worst side of humanity is festering within the NYPSD, dirty cops who have been entrusted to serve the community and protect the innocent, Eve doesn’t get cynical, she gets angry. She gets irate. She takes it personal.

After Peabody overhears two cops in the locker room and quickly realizes they are planning a murder to cover-up a bigger trail of corruption, Peabody realizes she’s in way over her head and has McNab take her to Eve. Eve, once again, doesn’t disappoint and quickly orchestrates her own plan to sideline the dirty cops, even though she knows they will stop at nothing to cover themselves. The more Eve digs into the dirty squad, the bigger a target she becomes. I loved how Eve is like a pit bull in this story, latching onto every shred of evidence with an iron-fist grip, refusing to let go. Eve is a very tenacious character anyway when she’s investigating a homicide. It doesn’t matter to her who the victim is. They are hers and she, too, will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of it.

I especially enjoyed watching Eve go head-to-head with the corrupt Lieutenant, who has a high standing in the Department and whose father was a decorated Commander. I loved watching her get into the faces of the corrupt members of the squad, stirring the pot, making their perfect world uncomfortable. Eve knows the risks she is taking by antagonizing them, but it seemed to me that she was enjoying herself too much to stop and I was enjoying watching it unfold. It was a little disturbing to see how far these cops would go to keep their secrets. They aren’t above killing cops and have done so and try to kill yet more cops, including Eve.

Although I love this series, Treachery in Death is definitely one of my favorites. Peabody is really evolving as a character that could easily have her own series, though I would very much miss the interactions between her and Eve. So much has happened in this series that it’s so hard to remember that the entire series, so far, only spans a couple of years when it feels like ten or more years have passed. Time really does fly when you are having fun and hopefully for the readers the fun is just beginning.

Thursday, June 07, 2012

REVIEW: This Side Of The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Title: This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress #5)
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: February, 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy
Rating: 10/10

Description: Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally," —the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

My Thoughts: The Night Huntress series is one of my favorite series. Cat and Bones are characters I connected with immediately and they continue to entertain me and make an impression. This story is a little sad, though, because one of the major characters isn’t long for this world. I’m still trying to figure out Marie, the voodoo queen. Is she an ally or an enemy? Several times in this book, my opinion fluctuated regarding her motives.

One of my favorite parts of the book is when Bones is teaching Cat how to fly. The means with which he is trying to trigger her flight skill was quite humorous and thoroughly enjoyable. There are some other new abilities that Cat receives in this story that were a little creepy and didn’t make any sense initially.

We see quite a bit more of Vlad in this story and I’m looking forward to reading his story when it comes out this month.

My only problem with this story is the very tiny appearance of Ian. I love this character and think he brings fantastic irony to otherwise tense situations and his special brand of humor and smart aleck remarks were sorely missed in this book.

Overall, another great installment of the Night Huntress series and I am eagerly anticipating the next one. If you enjoy paranormal romance, urban fantasy or action packed stories with lots of great fight scenes and covert military ops missions, this is a series you can really sink your teeth into.

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

New Additions To The TBR Pile In May

Seems a little redundant to add these titles to my new additions post as I am currently reading them. Does it count since they won't be languishing on the ever growing pile? Probably not, but really, who's counting?

This Side Of The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Description: Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance . . .

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing. A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"—the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war . . . to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.


Treachery In Death by J.D. Robb

Description: In the latest from the #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon, Eve Dallas tracks down those who break the law—including the ones sworn to uphold it.

Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime—an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. This is Peabody's first case as primary detective—good thing she learned from the master.

But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound—she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked—guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down—knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Snow White And The Huntsman

Snow White And The Huntsman
Release Date: June 1, 2012
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Plot Summary: In the epic action-adventure "Snow White and the Huntsman," Kristen Stewart ("Twilight") plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar® winner Charlize Theron) who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, "Thor") who was dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin ("Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides") joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White's beauty and power.

Review: I have been looking forward to watching this movie for a very long time. This movie takes a giant leap away from the Snow White story we all grew up on and ventures into the dark side with this adaptation. A lot of the elements from the original fairy tale are there but Snow White dons a suit of armor and chain mail and gets her hands dirty.

I have to say that Charlize Theron owned this movie.  Her portrayal of the evil Queen, Ravenna outshines everyone.  She is a character you love to hate and she dominates the story.  The movie should have been called The Evil Queen because she is central to all of it.  Charlize Theron delivers an amazing performance of a woman so obsessed with beauty and power that she will do anything to keep it.  She's strong but very weak, determined but ruled by her emotions.



I enjoyed Kristen Stewart's portrayal of Snow White much more than her performance as Bella in the Twilight saga.  She doesn't come across as a dainty girl and if you are looking for singing to the forest animals and keeping house for seven dwarves, you will be disappointed.  This Snow White is made of sterner stuff.  She has been imprisoned in a tower for many years, isolated from the world she once knew with no family or anyone else to support her.  She's clever and though she's young and inexperienced, she possesses a great strength of will and determination.


One of my favorite scenes in the movie is the infamous apple scene.  It carried surprising twists and unexpected outcomes.  The cinematography for this movie was breathtaking and the special effects were amazing.


Chris Hemsworth has been a busy guy so far this year.  I loved him as Thor in The Avengers and lucky for me and the rest of his fans, he's back as the Huntsman.  I loved his performance as the widowed-village drunkard Huntsman.  This is a man who doesn't seem to care for anyone or anything.  He drinks excessively and when we first meet him, he's on the receiving end of an ass whooping.  The Queen promises to bring his dead wife back if he goes into the forest to retrieve her prisoner and though he wants that more than anything, he quickly discovers that the Queen lied and finds himself helping Snow White though he doesn't know who she is.

The dwarves were an unexpected surprise.  None of the "hi-ho hi-ho, off to work we go" crap.  They are tough, tenacious fighters who are more likely to shoot first then ask questions later.  The magic of special effects transforms brilliant actors Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost and others into dwarves with attitude.


There were some flaws in the movie.  I didn't find it logical that Ravenna would go the lengths and extremes she does because of men using women and casting them aside.  If there had been a little more detail given into Ravenna's background, it would have helped.  We are given a few flashback memories and a rambling speech right before Ravenna kills Snow White's father, but it didn't cut it.

All villains need minions and Ravenna is no exception.  Her brother, Finn is hers and he's creepy as hell.  There's a scene where he is sent to fetch Snow White that was so disturbing to me.  I had the feeling he's a predator of women and probably children.  I didn't shed any tears when he bought the farm.

Also, Snow White's childhood friend, William was off the mark for me.  This movie lacks a prince.  William's father is a Duke.  That would make William a Marquess not a Prince.

Overall and overlooking these minor flaws, I found Snow White and the Huntsman to be a beautifully made film with intriguing characters, breathtaking locations, exciting battle scenes bringing a classic story to life.

Verdict:  Highly recommended.  I will be adding it to my collection.

   

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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)