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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Nora & Kettle (Paper Stars, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This book is set after World War II and broaches a subject that is not often talked about, The Japanese Internment. Kettle is a young refugee from the internment camps who takes care of a small group of children like him. He insist they earn it honestly so life is hard but they have each other.
Nora is the child of a famous lawyer fighting for the rights of the Japanese but he has a dark side that only his family knows. She is determined to protect her younger sister from the harm that can come within their own house.
The two main characters are well written and the perceptions they have of each other before meeting speaks truth. The time and place setting is very well developed, it puts you there. I love that Taylor used the Japanese Internment as a base of her story. Perhaps more will learn about this tragic time in America.
Nora is the child of a famous lawyer fighting for the rights of the Japanese but he has a dark side that only his family knows. She is determined to protect her younger sister from the harm that can come within their own house.
The two main characters are well written and the perceptions they have of each other before meeting speaks truth. The time and place setting is very well developed, it puts you there. I love that Taylor used the Japanese Internment as a base of her story. Perhaps more will learn about this tragic time in America.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Hard Eight (Stephanie Plum, #8) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
After my disappointment with the last installment in the Stephanie Plum series, I was happy to see Evanovich bring it in Hard Eight. This book was much more engaging than the last. I couldn't put it down.
The sexual tension between Ranger & Stephanie finally came to a head (no pum intended). But of course there's still Morelli popping up when least expected & always managing to find his way into her heart or her pants in no particular order.
The plot of this book was fast paced. I am really enjoying that Stephanie's sister Valerie is back in Jersey & figured rather prominently into the story line. This particular plot was a bit more developed than that of the other books in the series. There were more twists & turns in this one which made it a more engaging read in my eyes. I like not being sure what's coming & Evanovich defintely didn't disappoint in that aspect!
The sexual tension between Ranger & Stephanie finally came to a head (no pum intended). But of course there's still Morelli popping up when least expected & always managing to find his way into her heart or her pants in no particular order.
The plot of this book was fast paced. I am really enjoying that Stephanie's sister Valerie is back in Jersey & figured rather prominently into the story line. This particular plot was a bit more developed than that of the other books in the series. There were more twists & turns in this one which made it a more engaging read in my eyes. I like not being sure what's coming & Evanovich defintely didn't disappoint in that aspect!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Visionist in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was without a doubt a much different book than what I am used to reading. That is not a bad thing at all. This book tells the story of how 3 lives that seemed so separate suddenly crash together in very unexpected ways. The first is Polly a young girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is a worker & protector within her small, dysfunctional family. The next is Sister Charity. A young Shaker girl who holds a high esteem within her community until circumstances change & that changes in an instant. The last is Simon Pryor. A man who was forced into a position because he had tried to help out.
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
Domonique (0 KP) rated Still Missing in Books
May 12, 2018
This was really good!! It seemed like I just flew through it because it was so captivating. I loved the way that it was told, in therapy sessions, I thought that was interesting and different although I would have like to have heard the therapist's perspective on some of Annie's thoughts, but I understood it wasn't about her. (SPOILERS AHEAD) I still can't believe that her mom was behind the whole thing, what kind of parent is that hard up for money and one-upmanship on her own sister that she would have her own daughter abducted? That was just sick and I can't believe that even at the end, she tried to make out like she was the victim. I felt so good that Annie finally took control and got away from her mother after she realized that she was never going to change and it was always going to be about her. I'll have to check out more books by this author.
ClareR (6079 KP) rated White Rabbit, Red Wolf in Books
May 9, 2018
A great YA book about a teenage boy (Pete) who has an extreme anxiety disorder. Oh, and he's a maths prodigy too. His mother is a very well-respected scientist. His twin sister, Bel, seems to be just your run of the mill teenager, who gets in to a bit of trouble as she's a bit handy with her fists (usually sticking up for Pete). The three of them go to the Natural History Museum in London to collect an award for their mother - and this is where it all goes horribly wrong. Their mother is stabbed, Bel disappears, and Pete is kidnapped.
Some very likeable main characters (particularly Pete and Bel), some typically 'mean' spies, a fair bit of maths (which I admit to skimming over: maths isn't really my thing, I'm afraid!), and lots of action.
A great book, which I'm sure adults and teenagers alike will enjoy!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for their serialisation!
Some very likeable main characters (particularly Pete and Bel), some typically 'mean' spies, a fair bit of maths (which I admit to skimming over: maths isn't really my thing, I'm afraid!), and lots of action.
A great book, which I'm sure adults and teenagers alike will enjoy!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for their serialisation!
Sue (5 KP) rated Raspberry Danish Murder in Books
Apr 23, 2018
For newlywed Hannah Swensen Barton, the month of November is supposed to be creating memories with her new husband and enjoying the holidays. Instead, Ross has vanished without a trace and left Hannah bitter and confused.
As Hannah tries to occupy herself with a baking frenzy for the holidays, she is thrown into a new mystery when PK (her husband’s assistant) is murdered while driving Ross’s car. Was Ross the intended victim and poor PK caught in the crossfires? Or was someone plotting against PK?
Hannah with the help of her sister Michelle, Norman, Mike, and Lonnie work to uncover the mystery and along the way discover that no one really knew Ross.
Joanne has a way of making you identify and care for all the characters in her mysteries. She keeps you guessing and weaves a very enjoyable tale. And who can forget all the yummy recipes that follow each chapter?!
As Hannah tries to occupy herself with a baking frenzy for the holidays, she is thrown into a new mystery when PK (her husband’s assistant) is murdered while driving Ross’s car. Was Ross the intended victim and poor PK caught in the crossfires? Or was someone plotting against PK?
Hannah with the help of her sister Michelle, Norman, Mike, and Lonnie work to uncover the mystery and along the way discover that no one really knew Ross.
Joanne has a way of making you identify and care for all the characters in her mysteries. She keeps you guessing and weaves a very enjoyable tale. And who can forget all the yummy recipes that follow each chapter?!
Lindsay (1796 KP) rated One Minute There in Books
Apr 9, 2019
This book is about a young woman. She does some strange things that makes her to do things that are not right. Her stepfather or father goes to look for his missing daughter. Detective Bennett will not give up on his daughter Melissa.
Melissa wants to protect her daughter Abby. Though for some reason Melissa has gone missing and after hearing her name called and knocking at the door. Her family is weary of what has happened to her sister in law and brother. Though she calls a friend and tell him nothing and ask for help.
Melissa thinks she is safe after running. Something is wrong and no one can find her. She claim someone is after her and has to flee once again. What happens next is just another page turner. I would advise who reads this. This is best for those that need to be mature enough to read for it got some violence and some nastier words like the word (B**ch).
Melissa wants to protect her daughter Abby. Though for some reason Melissa has gone missing and after hearing her name called and knocking at the door. Her family is weary of what has happened to her sister in law and brother. Though she calls a friend and tell him nothing and ask for help.
Melissa thinks she is safe after running. Something is wrong and no one can find her. She claim someone is after her and has to flee once again. What happens next is just another page turner. I would advise who reads this. This is best for those that need to be mature enough to read for it got some violence and some nastier words like the word (B**ch).
April Rose Mossow (93 KP) rated Sadie in Books
May 20, 2019
When Sadie’s sister Maddie is found dead, it sets off a series of events: A road trip, uncovering secrets, but also, asking more questions than it answers. I really enjoyed this book, slowly the adrenaline just kicks you into gear and you’re rushing through the book to finish. It’s a murder-mystery, tangled with lies, family dysfunction, and vengeance. Told between podcasts and the perspective of its main character, it’s a different style of writing, written especially for this generation’s teens. You feel so deeply for Sadie, and the people she meets along the way. The story is fast-paced and keeps you thoroughly engaged. (I didn’t want to put it down!) Sadie is a well written, real character you root for through the entirety of the book. It’s such a sad chain of events, you don’t really know what to expect, but you hope against all hope that Sadie makes it out alive.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Lust is the Thorn in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second novel I have read from this author and I am not sure if I like her or not yet. Both stories feature tormented men with troubled past and the women who love them. I love a good romance about a man falling in love with his best friends sister, but there seemed to be a lot lacking from this novel. I felt that the only conflict was the characters own hang ups.
I did, however, enjoy the bad girl, good boy dynamic. I am so used to the man being the bad one that it was refreshing. Not to mention he was genuinely a good guy. I felt like they deserved each other and helped each other heal.
However, I didnt particularly care for the story line. There was nothing wrong with it or the authors writing. I just didnt care about the characters or their story.
This is the second novel I have read from this author and I am not sure if I like her or not yet. Both stories feature tormented men with troubled past and the women who love them. I love a good romance about a man falling in love with his best friends sister, but there seemed to be a lot lacking from this novel. I felt that the only conflict was the characters own hang ups.
I did, however, enjoy the bad girl, good boy dynamic. I am so used to the man being the bad one that it was refreshing. Not to mention he was genuinely a good guy. I felt like they deserved each other and helped each other heal.
However, I didnt particularly care for the story line. There was nothing wrong with it or the authors writing. I just didnt care about the characters or their story.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Bring Me Back in Books
Mar 2, 2018
Unnerving with lots of twists
B. A. Paris returns once again with a deeply troubling psychological thriller following a couple and a woman, who disappeared 12 years ago.
Finn and his girlfriend Layla are in France before she mysteriously vanishes, leaving him to answer police questions over her disappearance. Fast forward 12 years, and Finn has settled down, about to marry Layla's older, much more mature sister, but suddenly bizarre events begin to occur, and they wonder - has she returned?
The entire book is unnerving, moving between several narratives and voices, first establishing Finn's version of the past and the present. And then soon after, another voice emerges, and you're left to question whether it really is Layla.
While you do get an inkling with 30 minutes left of the book about what could be possible - it is written so that the final reveal is still harrowing and shocking. Another gripping thriller from Paris.
Finn and his girlfriend Layla are in France before she mysteriously vanishes, leaving him to answer police questions over her disappearance. Fast forward 12 years, and Finn has settled down, about to marry Layla's older, much more mature sister, but suddenly bizarre events begin to occur, and they wonder - has she returned?
The entire book is unnerving, moving between several narratives and voices, first establishing Finn's version of the past and the present. And then soon after, another voice emerges, and you're left to question whether it really is Layla.
While you do get an inkling with 30 minutes left of the book about what could be possible - it is written so that the final reveal is still harrowing and shocking. Another gripping thriller from Paris.