Susan O'Brien (2)

Everyone should read Acid Reflections. Even if you have been fortunate enough to escape the serious health issues Author Susan O’Brien has had to deal with from birth, who hasn’t experienced some nagging health problem that the doctors can’t really figure out, isn’t serious enough to be life-threatening or require surgery, but just won’t go away? We all probably know the stress that goes with that, the ups and downs of hope and failed treatments. The resignation that it’s just show more something you have to learn to live with. And the lingering fear that maybe it’s not just a minor inconvenience you can handle but could be something serious and difficult to diagnose.

While I thankfully don’t have anything nearly as serious as the issues the author has had to learn to manage, I have always had what we optimistically call “a sensitive stomach.” And this powerful book resonated with me, touched me on many levels. I, too, have learned to manage it. I know when to stay close to home, what foods to try to avoid, how to talk to the doctor so I’m not told, “Oh, you’re just stressed. It will go away.” And learned to endure the eye rolls and sighs from the medical personnel when things get serious enough to take me to the ER and I dare to venture an opinion about what might be the cause.

This is a story about the author’s medical journey. It’s serious, graphic, frustrating, sad. Sometimes disgusting – unless you’ve experienced some of what she writes about and then it’s oh so familiar. But it’s also so much more than that. It’s a story about hope and faith and love and support and perseverance and just putting one foot in front of the other, making modifications and adaptations along the way, and just never giving in or giving up. It’s well-written, well laid out, witty, heartfelt, uplifting, and the medical experiences and the frustration and anger ring true.

Thanks to author Susan O’Brien for providing a copy of Acid Reflections. I was not required to write a review and all opinions are my own. I didn’t really know what to expect when I started reading but I discovered this was a very satisfying journey. I recommend this book without hesitation. show less

I hoped when I hit my fifties I'd be in shape and upbeat too. The treadmill will do it, I told myself. I'll get in shape for the first time. Maybe I'll even lift weights! I'll be able to outrun bad guys no problem.

I cannot fully express how much I loved this book. Nicki Valentine was such a great character to follow as she tries to juggle being a single parent, taking classes to become a PI, and investigating the disappearance of a pregnant teenager (who is the birth mother of the child that show more her best friend, Kenna, wants to adopt). While she may not have a lot of experience being a PI she has her intuition and the help of her hunky PI instructor, Dean.

Nicki had a great sense of humor and I liked that while she wasn't an experienced PI she was still pretty competent in her investigation. She has such a love for her two children and her best friend Kenna that you could tell she would do anything for them. She even puts her life in danger in order to investigate the disappearance of Beth (the teenage girl who is considering allowing Kenna and her husband Andy to adopt her baby). No matter who she encounters Nicki manages to create such strong bonds and friendships with people.

I was as giddy as a little school girl whenever Dean (Nicki's PI instructor) appeared in the story. It didn't hurt that he was described as Brad Pitt on steroids. I was dying for Nicki and Dean to grow closer and start a relationship. Nicki didn't feel like she was good enough but I could definitely tell Dean was interested. I loved what happened with those two at the end. I just can't wait to see what happens with them in the next book.

I really loved the suspense and action at the end. I love where each character ended up and I just can't believe what Nicki ended up doing with a speculum. Even though it was a pretty serious situation I couldn't help but burst out in giggles. I just cannot wait to read the next book in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Henery Press for the galley. show less

A Henery Press mystery I hadn't tried yet, Finding Sky was mostly good. It's well-written, well-plotted and has great characters.

She’s a parent. She’s (almost) a P.I. No one gets on your case like mom.

Suburban widow and P.I. in training Nicki Valentine can barely keep track of her two kids, but when her best friend’s adoption plan is jeopardized by the young birth mother’s disappearance, Nicki is persuaded to help. Nearly everyone else believes the teenager ran away, but Nicki show more trusts her BFF’s judgment, and the feeling is mutual.


It's right there in the summary, but I didn't expect quite so much evangelising about parenting and all the things she does to be a good parent. There was a lot. I was way more interested in what she was doing to solve the mystery than I was in hearing a detailed account of how she spent quality time with her kids.

Otherwise, I enjoyed it; Ms. O'Brien created complex and likeable characters. I like that Nicki believes in and prays to God, without practicing any specific religion and talks about the possibility of visiting psychics (she doesn't). I enjoy the perceived dichotomy and the inherent non-judginess. This is not a Christian read and unless you're a militant atheist who hates any mention of faith, it shouldn't interrupt anyone's enjoyment.

The mystery itself was interesting too; no murder, but a missing pregnant teen that may or may not have run away on the eve of delivery.

I'm not going to run out to buy the next one (the helicopter-mommy thing was annoying) but I'll definitely pick it up one of these days to see what happens next. show less

Kids and crime scenes. A horrible combination. I was glad Dean was along for the ride, messy minivan and all.

I was really looking forward to reading this book as I absolutely loved the first book in the series. I think maybe I went into reading this with my expectations too high (maybe even sky high) because I felt like after the first book being so great that this was a bit of a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it over all and will continue reading this series but I will show more go into the next books in the series with more realistic expectations.

I loved Nicki in the first book but in this one I was annoyed with her at times. I didn't like how her relationship with Dean had barely progressed since the last book. I understand that he had been away and that as she has kids she wants to take things slow but their relationship was non-existent for a lot of the book. I am hoping for more on that front in the next book of the series. I was also super annoyed with her when she had her whole popcorn incident. That seemed way out of character for her and just plain stupid.

Do not read this book while eating! This book at times dwells on Clostridium difficile colitis (aka C. diff) and a possible treatment for it. I already knew what C. diff was before reading this but I was definitely not prepared for how much it would be mentioned. While the possible treatment for it is in fact a real thing I just didn't need to keep reading about. For some reason I like to keep my mysteries poop-free.

I did enjoy getting to read about Nicki doing PI work again. She definitely works well with Dean so I look forward to seeing them work together again (if they do). Thanks to Netgalley and Henery Press for the galley. show less