Pamela M. Richter

A Myrt's Review

A Delightful Book.

Sabrina is a gorgeous model/boutique owner who discovers her identical twin tanning next to her at a small tanning salon. Only, Sabrina doesn't have a twin and Eve is actually a computer clone of her created by a quirky scientist and tanning salon owner. Sabrina quickly ends up escaping men with guns, taking Eve with her. Eve is introduced to life while Sabrina and her boyfriend, Mark work with Eve to evade lethal lawyers, the CIA, the KGB and some avaricious show more Japanese businessmen all with twisted intentions for Eve.

This was an entertaining story with an intriguing plot and engaging characters. The story mixes adventure with Eve's developing understanding of being human. The story has humor, particularly in several of the secondary characters. Overall, this was an engaging solid diversion of a book! Sometimes that's all you need!

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. show less

This novel started with photographer Julia Monay, trying desperately to figure out why her younger brother lay viciously beaten and fighting for his life in a hospital bed. As she tries to find out what happened, her car gets towed at the hospital. The “mechanic” who helps her out, Robin Chavier, seems to take an interest in her as well. Robin, then overhears something in the hospital, which lead him to believe that Julia Monay’s brother may not have been a random mugging victim. So show more Robin decides that he will help Julia find out what happened, as a concerned citizen…and as a way to get closer to Julia. So begins the adventures of Robin and Julia as crime solvers. The author mentioned that Julia already had a boyfriend, a doctor named Alexander. It was also clear that Julia didn’t have “the forever” feelings for Alexander, even though he was everything society says a girl should want. It appeared the author was trying to set up a love triangle, but there was no real competition between the doctor and the dirty mechanic. As Julia and Robin work together to solve this crime, they become closer to real danger and closer to each other. When Julia finds out information both about who Robin really is, Julia is forced to make some decisions about her future.

Honestly, this story was quite predictable and it was a couple of chapters too long. Many things in this novel were not realistic. The antagonist didn’t have enough bite to go with his bark. If he was as ruthless as the author would have us to believe, then many of his behaviors didn’t match up, i.e., location of the safe and combination, video tapes, his talkative housekeeper etc. Things were too easy for the amateurs, so the plot rang a little hollow in those areas for me. The hero and heroine were too good. My favorite quote from Robin to Julia was “And you know, everyone talks about making out, or having sex, but really, people basically just need to be hugged every once and a while.” I didn’t really feel the emotion between the characters as I read about it. I didn’t really connect well with them, especially the Julia. Her actions seemed reckless and impulsive to me. I think that a woman of her financial resources would have checked Robin out more thoroughly. Another thing that was just unbelievable was the scene where the two officers discussed Robin so casually in front of Julia. They didn’t even glance to make sure she wasn’t listening. I didn’t buy it at all. Lastly, Sarah’s change seemed contrived. Women don’t give up something they want that easily. It was a character that the novel could have done without as she really didn’t provide anything to the plot.

Overall, it was an okay read. The ending was sweet. I would like to thank the author for providing me a copy of this book. show less

(Disclosure - I received this book free in an author giveaway.)

This book and I got off to a rough start. Initially, many of the characters were either unlikeable or too inconsistent for me to care about. Michelle, the main character, seems rather chilly, distant and intelligent, yet simultaneously stupid and unthinking in ways that don't really add up for me.

I also got hung up on some errors that I encountered in the book - common misspellings and homonym errors - as well as some facts that show more didn't wash. I felt as though some things were just thrown in so as not to waste the research, so to speak.

The first character that intrigued me was Nakamura. Soon, Michelle's interactions with Nakamura started giving her character more depth and realism. I'm not sure where exactly, but somewhere just past the halfway point, I got sucked in and really started to enjoy the book. The cast of characters came together and meshed, I started to care about the good guys, and there was enough action and momentum to carry me past the small issues.

Though I nearly gave up on the book early on, I'm glad I stuck with it. Yes, it needs editing - both for errors and for a few instances of foreshadowing that go nowhere - but the story works out and I think the book redeems itself. show less

Having read my fair share of paranormal books generally in young adult this particular story is a refreshing departure. Some what creepy and thrilling with mystery and a bit of a historic lesson regarding the occult. Certainly for mature readers as the content deals with rape and murder. I also have to note that I loved the setting in Hawaii. It is a perfect choice for those Halloween challenges. My second book by this author and I'm definitely looking forward to reading my third.