Couldn't put the book down. I would have given this a five star but some scenes were just too unbelievable. But enjoyed the book none-the-less.
This was an interesting story. A murder mystery, complete with a religious cult, pulls in a side romance which is itself a mystery. What kept this from being a five star book were 1) the "voice" in the first quarter of the book was a choppy "Dragnet" style voice and it irritated me, 2) the language didn't successfully paint good pictures for me, and 3) the ending seemed manuafactured, like it was quickly and arbitrarily tying up loose ends. Oh, and of course, as Dad would say, "this is completely unbelievable!" That said, however, I will try book two in the series before deciding what I think about the series as a whole.
The Advocate's Homicides is another great read from Teresa Burrell's The Advocate series (this is book eight although the book stands perfectly well on its own). There are many things I really like about these books: the characters are likeable, the plots are creative and interesting and I always learn something, the writing is well done, the editing is good (typos and misused words drive me crazy), and the books are clean (although they often cover difficult topics, I would feel comfortable giving them to a teen to read).
In this book, a pedophile is murdered and attorney Sabre Brown, a legal advocate for juveniles in the state's Social Services department, must defend one of the children in her care against the murder charge. The boy is innocent but the evidence against him is compelling and is confounded by the fact that he has absolutely no memory of the incident. Sabre, her investigator, JP Torn and others set out to both defend him and find the real killer. As this case unfolds and other murders occur, we are led through the maze of clues until we finally arrive at the answer. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip!
In this book, a pedophile is murdered and attorney Sabre Brown, a legal advocate for juveniles in the state's Social Services department, must defend one of the children in her care against the murder charge. The boy is innocent but the evidence against him is compelling and is confounded by the fact that he has absolutely no memory of the incident. Sabre, her investigator, JP Torn and others set out to both defend him and find the real killer. As this case unfolds and other murders occur, we are led through the maze of clues until we finally arrive at the answer. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip!
This book was more fun!! I enjoyed every minute I spent with it. And I have to say, I've listened to a lot of audio books and hands down, this was the best job of casting I've ever seen. The reader was absolutely perfect for the part.
Excellent story. Improve the editing and I would give it 5 stars.
Another wonderful book by John Gilstrap! Unfortunately, editing mistakes brought my rating down from five stars to four stars. But still an incredible story.
"Darkness on the Edge of Town" is the first book in the Laura Cardinal series by J. Carson Black. I loved this book and give it a 4 1/2 star rating.
Laura Cardinal is criminal investigator with the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety. She helps the local authorities in small towns with limited resources solve crimes.
This book has her investigating the murder of a 14-year-old girl. The hunt for her killer takes Laura deep into the world of sexual deviants who are using modern technology (computers and cell phones) and social media to entice their "prey." And it simultaneously takes her into the past disappearance of a young girl from Laura's childhood.
The story is good, interesting and fast-paced. It kept me up way too late one night because I couldn't put it down. I loved Laura and can't wait to read more about her! My only negative comment is that the first chapter had so many characters thrown at me that I almost gave up on the book (don't do it - the book is worth the read). It would have been a five star with a few less people to keep track of. But I totally loved the book and will read more of this series.
Laura Cardinal is criminal investigator with the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety. She helps the local authorities in small towns with limited resources solve crimes.
This book has her investigating the murder of a 14-year-old girl. The hunt for her killer takes Laura deep into the world of sexual deviants who are using modern technology (computers and cell phones) and social media to entice their "prey." And it simultaneously takes her into the past disappearance of a young girl from Laura's childhood.
The story is good, interesting and fast-paced. It kept me up way too late one night because I couldn't put it down. I loved Laura and can't wait to read more about her! My only negative comment is that the first chapter had so many characters thrown at me that I almost gave up on the book (don't do it - the book is worth the read). It would have been a five star with a few less people to keep track of. But I totally loved the book and will read more of this series.
THE TRIGGER is the first book in the Agent Jamie Dallas series by L.J. Sellers. I enjoyed reading it and give it a three star rating.
This book investigates the disappearance of a woman, the wife of one of the two co-founders of an "end of the world as we know it" group, and her baby. The group is living commune style as they stockpile supplies and learn to become self-sufficient in preparation for civilization's imminent collapse from global warming and all of the other ills humanity is inflicting on each other and the planet. Dallas is sent undercover to infiltrate the group in an attempt to find out what happened to the missing woman and her child. During the investigation, she discovers that this is not just a missing persons case. There are even more nefarious and potentially catastrophic actions afoot!
The book was fast paced, interesting and had several good plot twists. I liked Agent Dallas even though I occasionally wanted to strangle her for several of her character defects. Didn't they teach her to wait for backup? And what's with all the relationship self-sabotage?
While overall I enjoyed reading the book, there were several points that stretched my credibility a little bit too far. But mostly what kept this from being a four or five star rating was the ending. I felt frustrated because there were too many unanswered questions for me. That said, I still enjoyed the book and will try the next book in the series.
This book investigates the disappearance of a woman, the wife of one of the two co-founders of an "end of the world as we know it" group, and her baby. The group is living commune style as they stockpile supplies and learn to become self-sufficient in preparation for civilization's imminent collapse from global warming and all of the other ills humanity is inflicting on each other and the planet. Dallas is sent undercover to infiltrate the group in an attempt to find out what happened to the missing woman and her child. During the investigation, she discovers that this is not just a missing persons case. There are even more nefarious and potentially catastrophic actions afoot!
The book was fast paced, interesting and had several good plot twists. I liked Agent Dallas even though I occasionally wanted to strangle her for several of her character defects. Didn't they teach her to wait for backup? And what's with all the relationship self-sabotage?
While overall I enjoyed reading the book, there were several points that stretched my credibility a little bit too far. But mostly what kept this from being a four or five star rating was the ending. I felt frustrated because there were too many unanswered questions for me. That said, I still enjoyed the book and will try the next book in the series.
THE TRIGGER is the first book in the Agent Jamie Dallas series by L.J. Sellers. I enjoyed reading it and give it a three star rating.
This book investigates the disappearance of a woman, the wife of one of the two co-founders of an "end of the world as we know it" group, and her baby. The group is living commune style as they stockpile supplies and learn to become self-sufficient in preparation for civilization's imminent collapse from global warming and all of the other ills humanity is inflicting on each other and the planet. Dallas is sent undercover to infiltrate the group in an attempt to find out what happened to the missing woman and her child. During the investigation, she discovers that this is not just a missing persons case. There are even more nefarious and potentially catastrophic actions afoot!
The book was fast paced, interesting and had several good plot twists. I liked Agent Dallas even though I occasionally wanted to strangle her for several of her character defects. Didn't they teach her to wait for backup? And what's with all the relationship self-sabotage?
While overall I enjoyed reading the book, there were several points that stretched my credibility a little bit too far. But mostly what kept this from being a four or five star rating was the ending. I felt frustrated because there were too many unanswered questions for me. That said, I still enjoyed the book and will try the next book in the series.
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DARKNESS show more ON THE EDGE OF TOWN is the first book in the Laura Cardinal series by J. Carson Black. I loved this book and give it a 4 1/2 star rating.
Laura Cardinal is criminal investigator with the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety. She helps the local authorities in small towns with limited resources solve crimes.
This book has her investigating the murder of a 14-year-old girl. The hunt for her killer takes Laura deep into the world of sexual deviants who are using modern technology (computers and cell phones) and social media to entice their "prey." And it simultaneously takes her into the past disappearance of a young girl from Laura's childhood.
The story is good, interesting and fast-paced. It kept me up way too late one night because I couldn't put it down. I loved Laura and can't wait to read more about her! My only negative comment is that the first chapter had so many characters thrown at me that I almost gave up on the book (don't do it - the book is worth the read). It would have been a five star with a few less people to keep track of. But I totally loved the book and will read more of this series.
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THE ADVOCATE is the first book in the Advocate series by Teresa Burrell. show less
This book investigates the disappearance of a woman, the wife of one of the two co-founders of an "end of the world as we know it" group, and her baby. The group is living commune style as they stockpile supplies and learn to become self-sufficient in preparation for civilization's imminent collapse from global warming and all of the other ills humanity is inflicting on each other and the planet. Dallas is sent undercover to infiltrate the group in an attempt to find out what happened to the missing woman and her child. During the investigation, she discovers that this is not just a missing persons case. There are even more nefarious and potentially catastrophic actions afoot!
The book was fast paced, interesting and had several good plot twists. I liked Agent Dallas even though I occasionally wanted to strangle her for several of her character defects. Didn't they teach her to wait for backup? And what's with all the relationship self-sabotage?
While overall I enjoyed reading the book, there were several points that stretched my credibility a little bit too far. But mostly what kept this from being a four or five star rating was the ending. I felt frustrated because there were too many unanswered questions for me. That said, I still enjoyed the book and will try the next book in the series.
-----------------------------------------
DARKNESS show more ON THE EDGE OF TOWN is the first book in the Laura Cardinal series by J. Carson Black. I loved this book and give it a 4 1/2 star rating.
Laura Cardinal is criminal investigator with the Arizona Dept. of Public Safety. She helps the local authorities in small towns with limited resources solve crimes.
This book has her investigating the murder of a 14-year-old girl. The hunt for her killer takes Laura deep into the world of sexual deviants who are using modern technology (computers and cell phones) and social media to entice their "prey." And it simultaneously takes her into the past disappearance of a young girl from Laura's childhood.
The story is good, interesting and fast-paced. It kept me up way too late one night because I couldn't put it down. I loved Laura and can't wait to read more about her! My only negative comment is that the first chapter had so many characters thrown at me that I almost gave up on the book (don't do it - the book is worth the read). It would have been a five star with a few less people to keep track of. But I totally loved the book and will read more of this series.
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THE ADVOCATE is the first book in the Advocate series by Teresa Burrell. show less
Dies Irae is book three in B.V. Lawson's Scott Drayco mystery series and I enjoyed every minute of reading it! This whole series has kept me enthralled and I can hardly wait for book four.
Drayco was a concert pianist until his arm was permanently damaged by a criminal. No longer able to maintain the intense practice schedule required for his musical profession, he retired from the stage to become a crime-fighting FBI agent. He has now left the FBI and works as a freelance crime consultant.
In this book, he is contacted by his former FBI partner, "Sarg" Sargosian, and asked to help solve a murder. A co-ed was brutally murdered on his daughter's college campus. Sarg is afraid that his daughter might become a target of the murderer and sets aside his pride to ask for Drayco's help. Drayco has two skills that Sarg is hoping will help to quickly solve this murder: his musical background and his synesthesia. The killer has left a clue hidden in musical code. Can Drayco use his musical skills to unravel the code? Also, the victim is, as is Drayco, a synesthete. In layman's terms, that means that they have a rare neurological condition where stimulating one sense leads to an automatic, involuntary experience in a secondary sense (in Drayco's case, sound creates visual colors). Will that shared experience help him to better understand the victim and solve this crime?
Another murder, another musically coded clue. Is this a ritualistic killer? And what's this with Scott receiving a show more code of his own? Can he solve the mystery before even more are killed???
I enjoyed this book not only for the interesting story but also because this book gave a lot of information about Scott's past and how he ended up where he is today. It gave me a rich appreciation of who he is.
I definitely recommend this book and happily give it a five star rating. show less
Drayco was a concert pianist until his arm was permanently damaged by a criminal. No longer able to maintain the intense practice schedule required for his musical profession, he retired from the stage to become a crime-fighting FBI agent. He has now left the FBI and works as a freelance crime consultant.
In this book, he is contacted by his former FBI partner, "Sarg" Sargosian, and asked to help solve a murder. A co-ed was brutally murdered on his daughter's college campus. Sarg is afraid that his daughter might become a target of the murderer and sets aside his pride to ask for Drayco's help. Drayco has two skills that Sarg is hoping will help to quickly solve this murder: his musical background and his synesthesia. The killer has left a clue hidden in musical code. Can Drayco use his musical skills to unravel the code? Also, the victim is, as is Drayco, a synesthete. In layman's terms, that means that they have a rare neurological condition where stimulating one sense leads to an automatic, involuntary experience in a secondary sense (in Drayco's case, sound creates visual colors). Will that shared experience help him to better understand the victim and solve this crime?
Another murder, another musically coded clue. Is this a ritualistic killer? And what's this with Scott receiving a show more code of his own? Can he solve the mystery before even more are killed???
I enjoyed this book not only for the interesting story but also because this book gave a lot of information about Scott's past and how he ended up where he is today. It gave me a rich appreciation of who he is.
I definitely recommend this book and happily give it a five star rating. show less
Although I am new to Brene Brown's books, I have heard quite a few of her lectures and loved them all. This book did not disappoint!! The book, on one level, is easily readable. Brene Brown is a storyteller and her writing style engaged me from the start. On another level, the most important level, the book is difficult because it deals with hurts and failings. I don't know about you but I don't know a single person who hasn't been slam dunked by life at least once. Brene helps guide you to move through the hurts to a place where you can own ALL of your history and not just the good parts. Avoiding the difficult stories allows them to mess with your life from the unacknowledged shadow side. Brene gives a road map for moving through these "dark" stories in a healthy manner. I recommend this book to everyone.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I abandoned this book at 50% - it just didn't engage me and 1) I didn't appreciate the crude scene between Hjelm and his wife in the first chapter (she pulls a used sanitary napkin out of her panties and shoves it at him); 2) nor did I like the sex scene.... it felt to me like an editor told him he needed some sex and so he chunked a scene into the book. Not only did it add nothing to the book but it left me rolling my eyes; and 3) even at the half way mark I could care less about any of the characters. So I quit reading.
This was a wonderful book and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent lost in its pages.
Sabre Brown is an attorney working in the California juvenal court system as a child advocate. In this book, number seven in the series, she is advocating for five siblings from four different fathers and one crazy, shallow, wanna-be actress mother. And since she also has a life outside of work, she is enjoying her new hobby of geocaching. Geocaching is sort of like treasure hunting. You go online, enter a zip code of an area you want to search, click on an entry that interests you and it gives you the GPS coordinates. That gives you your treasure map. You then go to those coordinates and search until you find the cache.
One day while geocaching with her boyfriend/investigator she comes across a disturbing cache. Instead of finding the usual trinket, she finds an official looking death certificate. She has never heard of the dead person, Monroe. She doesn't even know if Monroe is a first or last name. The certificate lists the cause of death as "murder by poison" and is dated a week in the future. That's all weird enough but the cache leads her into a much bigger hunt since each cache she finds gives her clues leading to the next one. She and her friends and brother follow all the clues in the hope of averting this tragic murder. Along the way, they find that this hunt intertwines with Sabre's case with the five children.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was interesting, the show more characters well developed and likeable and the pace was perfect - fast enough to keep me involved yet slow enough for me to enjoy the trip! show less
Sabre Brown is an attorney working in the California juvenal court system as a child advocate. In this book, number seven in the series, she is advocating for five siblings from four different fathers and one crazy, shallow, wanna-be actress mother. And since she also has a life outside of work, she is enjoying her new hobby of geocaching. Geocaching is sort of like treasure hunting. You go online, enter a zip code of an area you want to search, click on an entry that interests you and it gives you the GPS coordinates. That gives you your treasure map. You then go to those coordinates and search until you find the cache.
One day while geocaching with her boyfriend/investigator she comes across a disturbing cache. Instead of finding the usual trinket, she finds an official looking death certificate. She has never heard of the dead person, Monroe. She doesn't even know if Monroe is a first or last name. The certificate lists the cause of death as "murder by poison" and is dated a week in the future. That's all weird enough but the cache leads her into a much bigger hunt since each cache she finds gives her clues leading to the next one. She and her friends and brother follow all the clues in the hope of averting this tragic murder. Along the way, they find that this hunt intertwines with Sabre's case with the five children.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was interesting, the show more characters well developed and likeable and the pace was perfect - fast enough to keep me involved yet slow enough for me to enjoy the trip! show less
I loved the first book but this one irked me. I really don't like stupid females..... At least the book got better towards the end. That saved it from a 2 star rating.
I love the Pendergast books andI would have loved this book but........
I love books with strong female characters but really dislike books where the female constantly acts stupid and has to be saved. The main character in this book was Corrie Swanson. She was portrayed as a brainy yet very stupid, headstrong, obnoxious girl who needed to be saved again and again and again. She really needed to have someone insert a strong dose of common sense into her! I did enjoy the references to Sherlock Holmes.
I love books with strong female characters but really dislike books where the female constantly acts stupid and has to be saved. The main character in this book was Corrie Swanson. She was portrayed as a brainy yet very stupid, headstrong, obnoxious girl who needed to be saved again and again and again. She really needed to have someone insert a strong dose of common sense into her! I did enjoy the references to Sherlock Holmes.
I put this in the same category as Harlequin romances... ok but basically just fluff jobs. Molly Murphy is completely unbelievable as a woman in this particular time period. And, besides, I think she is an idiot. I don't want to read any more of her books...
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time!!
I enjoyed the storyline but didn't enjoy the writing style. It felt choppy and poorly developed.
The story line was really interesting but I got bogged down in all the details.
I don't like post-apocalyptic books. I don't read them. I don't enjoy them. So I'm not quite sure how I ended up with a copy of Station Eleven. Perhaps that it was so highly recommended by people whose taste in books I trust? Regardless, I bought it and once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!!
I loved this book. I started it one afternoon and stayed up until 2:00 a.m. to finish it. Then thought about rereading it right away!! This book is full of interesting ideas to meditate on.... like the turtle who carries his home with him and about having to leave everything behind and what would you take if you could and about the need to go through and "touch" your memories. This would be great for a book club.
This is one of the most engaging books I've read in a long time! The book grabbed me within the first few paragraphs and didn't let me go until the end. It was an adrenaline rush the whole time.
A big trigger for me is unbelievable scenes. This book did have a couple of scenes that stretched the boundaries of believability but yet they didn't seem to bother me like they might have. I loved the book despite these little glitches.
The Advocate's Felony is #6 in the series but the first one I've read. I liked this one so much that I'm going to go back and read books 1-5.
A big trigger for me is unbelievable scenes. This book did have a couple of scenes that stretched the boundaries of believability but yet they didn't seem to bother me like they might have. I loved the book despite these little glitches.
The Advocate's Felony is #6 in the series but the first one I've read. I liked this one so much that I'm going to go back and read books 1-5.
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.
This book's summary blurb caught my interest. I love ghost stories and I love humor and I began the book hoping that I would be entertained. Unfortunately the book failed to impress me. I did keep reading because I had to see how the book would end. However, while the story could have been intriguing, the actual book was neither engaging nor entertaining.
The characters are one-dimensional and there is not an ounce of character development. There are too many stereotypical and/or silly things (a cop named Rookie B. Cool who wears sunglasses all the time??). The author repeats favorite phrases ad nauseam. If I ever again hear the phrase "looked like he ate light bulbs for breakfast" I am pretty sure I'll scream. Ultimately the book comes across as just plain silly.
That said, I'll give it two stars because I did have to finish the book to see how it ended.
The characters are one-dimensional and there is not an ounce of character development. There are too many stereotypical and/or silly things (a cop named Rookie B. Cool who wears sunglasses all the time??). The author repeats favorite phrases ad nauseam. If I ever again hear the phrase "looked like he ate light bulbs for breakfast" I am pretty sure I'll scream. Ultimately the book comes across as just plain silly.
That said, I'll give it two stars because I did have to finish the book to see how it ended.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I really tried to get into this book. I love fantasy books, especially when they are wrapped around the gods. But I just couldn't seem to connect with the book. I started it three different times. The third time, when I hit the 50% mark, I gave up.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Oh my gosh, what a book! I haven't been so captivated in a very long time. I read a lot and this is a wonderfully entertaining book! However.... fair warning.... it is not a "feel good" book. It deals with dark themes (death, addiction, abuse, loss of hope, etc.). And it does so in a very raw, in-your-face kind of way. That didn't bother me at all but it might bother others. And a second fair warning.... don't begin reading this book until you have a good chunk of time to finish it. I couldn't stop reading it to do anything useful like go to sleep or get dressed for work. This book was my entire life for the time it took me to finish it. I just wish I had begun it on a weekend morning when I had little to do so that there would have been fewer real life interruptions.
I won't do a recap here. Others have already done so beautifully. What I will say is that I loved this book for several reasons. First, it made me think. I love books that make me think! Several days later, I'm still thinking.... What if someone could accurately predict my date of death? Would I want to know or not want to know? Would it change how I interface with my world or would I stay the same? Would it give me hope or make me hopeless? What if I knew the date my loved one would die? Would I tell them? Would I respond differently to them? And so many other questions. I've had fun pondering them.
Second, this is a well written book. It grabs you from the very beginning and keeps a tight hold on your show more attention. There are precious few books that don't have at least one slow spot. This is one of those few.
My only negative comment concerns the ending. One thing I judge a book on is its believability. This book did a good job of being believable except for one lapse. I'm concerned about being a spoiler here so I'm trying to dance around what I want to say. I'll just say that responsible people don't fail to take care of their most precious things/people until the very end. And they don't handle it with a hand written note. That whole scene was over the top.
But other than this issue the book is incredible and I highly recommend it to you. Actually, even with this issue, the book is still incredible and recommended! show less
I won't do a recap here. Others have already done so beautifully. What I will say is that I loved this book for several reasons. First, it made me think. I love books that make me think! Several days later, I'm still thinking.... What if someone could accurately predict my date of death? Would I want to know or not want to know? Would it change how I interface with my world or would I stay the same? Would it give me hope or make me hopeless? What if I knew the date my loved one would die? Would I tell them? Would I respond differently to them? And so many other questions. I've had fun pondering them.
Second, this is a well written book. It grabs you from the very beginning and keeps a tight hold on your show more attention. There are precious few books that don't have at least one slow spot. This is one of those few.
My only negative comment concerns the ending. One thing I judge a book on is its believability. This book did a good job of being believable except for one lapse. I'm concerned about being a spoiler here so I'm trying to dance around what I want to say. I'll just say that responsible people don't fail to take care of their most precious things/people until the very end. And they don't handle it with a hand written note. That whole scene was over the top.
But other than this issue the book is incredible and I highly recommend it to you. Actually, even with this issue, the book is still incredible and recommended! show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.
This collection of eight short horror stories is dark but very imaginative. I enjoyed reading them.
I love reading books that I can't put down! This book had me hooked by the second page and kept me entertained throughout.
Periodically I re-visit the question of assisted suicide. Certainly there are pros and cons and my opinion continually bounces around somewhere between these opposing poles. The Mercy Contracts begins with the United Nations forcing nations to close all assisted suicide clinics. Such a short sighted solution to a multi-faceted problem. And unfortunately, by eliminating all avenues of legal assistance for those who want to end their lives with dignity, they leave a vacuum that organized crime is more than willing to step in and fill.
A statistics professor working on an actuarial project questions the sudden and escalating numbers of elderly people who have been murdered. An insurance adjuster is assigned to explore the potential problem since life insurance policies are involved. The professor and the adjuster pair up, ask questions that organized crime doesn't want voiced and find themselves fighting to stay alive. Throw in some botched mob hits and you've got a great story!
I loved the book for the action, for the plot and because it made me think. What if..... I love books that make me think.
My only negatives for the book weren't enough to make me rate it down. However, I will say that especially in the first few chapters, the attraction between Caleb and Jenny was a distraction. It felt like Paul Wornham had read a book on writing thrillers that show more said you have to have a romance and so he stuck one in. And so every time Caleb looked at Jenny, we had to hear how distracted he was by her physical body. Geez. Fortunately it settled down part way through the book and the romance stopped feeling forced.
Also, I much prefer books that are believable. I don't see how organized crime can stay in business with as many mistakes as this group made.
But despite these two issues, neither of which were sufficient to make me rate the book down, the book comes together into an excellent story that I highly recommend reading. show less
Periodically I re-visit the question of assisted suicide. Certainly there are pros and cons and my opinion continually bounces around somewhere between these opposing poles. The Mercy Contracts begins with the United Nations forcing nations to close all assisted suicide clinics. Such a short sighted solution to a multi-faceted problem. And unfortunately, by eliminating all avenues of legal assistance for those who want to end their lives with dignity, they leave a vacuum that organized crime is more than willing to step in and fill.
A statistics professor working on an actuarial project questions the sudden and escalating numbers of elderly people who have been murdered. An insurance adjuster is assigned to explore the potential problem since life insurance policies are involved. The professor and the adjuster pair up, ask questions that organized crime doesn't want voiced and find themselves fighting to stay alive. Throw in some botched mob hits and you've got a great story!
I loved the book for the action, for the plot and because it made me think. What if..... I love books that make me think.
My only negatives for the book weren't enough to make me rate it down. However, I will say that especially in the first few chapters, the attraction between Caleb and Jenny was a distraction. It felt like Paul Wornham had read a book on writing thrillers that show more said you have to have a romance and so he stuck one in. And so every time Caleb looked at Jenny, we had to hear how distracted he was by her physical body. Geez. Fortunately it settled down part way through the book and the romance stopped feeling forced.
Also, I much prefer books that are believable. I don't see how organized crime can stay in business with as many mistakes as this group made.
But despite these two issues, neither of which were sufficient to make me rate the book down, the book comes together into an excellent story that I highly recommend reading. show less
Paleo Kitchen Unofficial Diet Recipes Cookbook: 30 More Delicious Paleo Recipes Collection Book for Your Kitchen by Laura Loren
I have to confess that I am not a card-carrying Paleo Diet member. In fact, I actually know very little about it. However, I stumbled across the diet recently. I am curious about learning more and was curious enough to try this cookbook. I'm glad I did. Whether you are into the Paleo Diet or not, this is a great cook book for anyone!
To me, there are several "tests" before I rate a cookbook highly. This book passed all of them with flying colors. Laura Loren has done a wonderful job of collecting 34 recipes (30 plus 4 bonus recipes) that even a time-challenged non-flambé-type cook like myself can manage. The ingredients are easily located and economically feasible for my budget. The book also includes some recipes for the crock pot and the grill, both a real plus for a Houston cook in the summer who doesn't want to heat up her whole house with an oven! And the book has a good balance of recipe types. There are the more standard recipes such as Beef Pot Roast, Baked Salmon with Lemon and Thyme and Easy Pork Loin Chops. These kinds of basic recipes are essentials to me and she has freshened up the recipes nicely. But an entire book of those would be boring. Laura Loren didn't disappoint! She also included a good mix of intriguing recipes. I've already plotted out my weekend grocery list with ingredients for Baked Mustard Lime Chicken, a delicious sounding Asian Stir Fry and Chicken Meatballs from Spunky Coconut. I've never tasted meatballs that had zucchini, carrots, show more garlic, chili powder, and parsley in them. Sounds really interesting! And that's just for the weekend. I also want to try Spicy Chicken with Grilled Lime and Grilled Flank Steak with Pineapple Salsa.
But book reading aside, how do the recipes taste?? That is the real test. I fixed two of the recipes last night and both were yummy! I made the Garlic Chicken, Red Peppers and Mushroom Sauce and the Zucchini Pasta. We all loved the chicken. But the zucchini dish alone made the cook book worth purchasing. It had zucchini ribbons cooked with pesto and cherry tomatoes and garnished with pine nuts. Oh my gosh! It was quick, easy and delicious! Gonna have to make that one again real soon.
So all said, I give this book a hearty five stars! show less
To me, there are several "tests" before I rate a cookbook highly. This book passed all of them with flying colors. Laura Loren has done a wonderful job of collecting 34 recipes (30 plus 4 bonus recipes) that even a time-challenged non-flambé-type cook like myself can manage. The ingredients are easily located and economically feasible for my budget. The book also includes some recipes for the crock pot and the grill, both a real plus for a Houston cook in the summer who doesn't want to heat up her whole house with an oven! And the book has a good balance of recipe types. There are the more standard recipes such as Beef Pot Roast, Baked Salmon with Lemon and Thyme and Easy Pork Loin Chops. These kinds of basic recipes are essentials to me and she has freshened up the recipes nicely. But an entire book of those would be boring. Laura Loren didn't disappoint! She also included a good mix of intriguing recipes. I've already plotted out my weekend grocery list with ingredients for Baked Mustard Lime Chicken, a delicious sounding Asian Stir Fry and Chicken Meatballs from Spunky Coconut. I've never tasted meatballs that had zucchini, carrots, show more garlic, chili powder, and parsley in them. Sounds really interesting! And that's just for the weekend. I also want to try Spicy Chicken with Grilled Lime and Grilled Flank Steak with Pineapple Salsa.
But book reading aside, how do the recipes taste?? That is the real test. I fixed two of the recipes last night and both were yummy! I made the Garlic Chicken, Red Peppers and Mushroom Sauce and the Zucchini Pasta. We all loved the chicken. But the zucchini dish alone made the cook book worth purchasing. It had zucchini ribbons cooked with pesto and cherry tomatoes and garnished with pine nuts. Oh my gosh! It was quick, easy and delicious! Gonna have to make that one again real soon.
So all said, I give this book a hearty five stars! show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Member Giveaways.