Fun with Books Blog

A book review blog where I can share my favourite books, as well as my love for the Siberian Husky and my passion for Stained Glass

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How to Breed Sheep, Geese and English Eccentrics by Valerie Poore

Synopsis

When Maisie Peterson leaves university in 1976 without a job to go to, she decides to help her mother save her large and impractical country property in the wilds of rural Dorset by trying her hand at self-sufficiency. Ma is just a tad eccentric, though, and Maisie has no clue about farming. Her efforts are thwarted at quite a few turns by a flock of willful sheep, a dotty aunt, a charming but ineffective boyfriend and a swarthy, but highly desirable agricultural auctioneer. Emily, the ewe, runs rings round her while Ma drifts in and out of the scene in an ancient wedding dress, causing havoc in Maisie's attempts to sort out her personal as well as her agricultural problems.

Review

This is without a doubt one of my favourite books.

There is a whole host of truly great characters and supporting characters who helped shape this wonderful story - they had me laughing out loud from the start, which is always a good sign for me.

Maisie, our heroine, armed with a hard-earned university degree decides to rather try her hand at farming, and sets out to do so with hilarious results.  Her eccentric mother lives in a world of her own and thinks nothing of wearing her ancient wedding dress to help mend fences on the farm or to wear her moth eaten cocktail dresses or ball gowns around the house.  I adored her.

Maisie’s photographer boyfriend started off as quite a bland character, but he is proof that if you hang around people who are eccentric, or even just slightly eccentric, it may just rub off on you.  He is as clueless as Maisie is about farming and doesn’t show much interest, but between the two of them they came up with the most bizarre schemes - one involving runaway sheep was very funny :)

What is a farm without animals?  This farm had the best animals ever.  There is Emily, the ewe - who was constantly scheming and leading everyone else astray, to Wellington the charming little ram - who rammed, and Miss Gee, the goose - who terrorised everyone.  There was enough craziness on this farm to keep you entertained forever.

This was an excellent read, and is one of those books that will stay with me for a very long time.  Great characters and great story.  I loved it.

[funwithbooksblog]

A Little Local difficulty by Chris Marr

Synopsis

DCI Michael Janaway has borderline Asperger’s syndrome and a unique perspective. Awoken late at night at his home in Cambridge, he is disturbed to find a neighbour has been stabbed to death on his doorstep. An investigation ensues but immediately Janaway is confronted with whether he should remain as the investigation’s senior officer, living as he does opposite the murder house, or indeed whether he is emotionally stable enough to cope after the recent death of his baby daughter. One member of his team certainly thinks that Janaway should step down, and the case itself is unusually complicated and draining. Will Janaway’s logical mind and eye for detail triumph over internal politics and troubles that are far too close to home for comfort?

Review:

This was a really good read.  Michael Janaway is a DCI who works and lives in Cambridge (UK).  He takes on the case of the murder of his neighbour, with a very interesting outcome – I honestly never saw it coming and other than a shocked ‘what the heck’ I was speechless haha.  The way it all played out was unexpected, but really, really good.

Michael has borderline Asperger’s Syndrome, which I found very interesting.  It was great to read about how he deals with the people around him, and how they in turn relate to him.  This, plus the way he goes about his job and how his ‘logical mind and his eye for detail’ (in the author’s own words) works for him, fascinated me.  I loved it.

It is not like any other suspense/crime novel I have read, which is a good thing, and it kept my interest throughout.  It is well written with good characters and a good story line and well worth the time.  I will definitely be reading more by Chris Marr.

Still can’t believe the outcome though lol.

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Harbour Ways by Valerie Poore

Harbour Ways is the sequel to Watery Ways, Valerie Poore's first memoir about living on a barge in Rotterdam's Oude Haven in the Netherlands. This second book tells of the first two years that she owned her own barge, the Vereeniging, and how she converts it from an empty hull into a home. Told with with Valerie's usual tongue-in-cheek humour, Harbour Ways can be read as a stand alone memoir or as the follow on to Watery Ways.

My Review - 5 Stars

I loved this book.  It was a lot of fun, but it was also very interesting to read about life on a barge, and what it takes to turn a historical working barge into a comfortable home.

It must have been incredibly daunting as a single woman living in a foreign country to go out and buy a barge.  Not just any barge, but a historical barge that needed a lot of work, and a lot of money.  Add to this the fact that she would be doing all the work herself, and the fact that she was still learning the language.  Daunting, yes I am sure it was, but for me the reader, it had its very funny moments, as well as its wow moments.

Living on the water is certainly not for everyone, simply because of the ‘hardships’ associated with it.  But, after reading this book the hardships seem to pale in comparison to what you actually get out of it.  I think the feeling of freedom, and the friendships forged on the water will make the hardships, while not insignificant, seem more manageable because they are in a way, a shared experienced.

I was continually amazed at the author’s courage, and her willingness to do all the work herself.  Her carpentry skills were amazing and her power tools impressive, but I would have run a mile before crawling into a 500l water tank to attach the necessary fittings.  Never, ever *shudder*.

Other than being a great read, I think there is an important lesson to be learned.  Never give up.  Know your limitations, but push them …… hard.  It was great to see how much Valerie Poore was able to achieve because she believed in herself and her abilities.

I especially enjoyed the photographs which accompanied the story.  I would have loved a lot more, but was thankful for the glimpses of what the author was working on at the time.  The kitchen and the bathroom were amazing.  They are tiny, and yet so perfect.   The photos of the barge moving serenely along the rivers/canals were awesome.

This is a great book.  It is beautifully written and I loved it.

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Texas Rebel by Jean Brashear

Synopsis

Jackson Gallagher's teenage rebellion cost him everything: his home, his family and the girl who could only love him in secret. Seventeen years later, a wildly successful multi-millionaire, he is drawn back to Sweetgrass Springs to confront his past: the father who banished him, the town that turned its back on him…and the woman he has never been able to forget.  The last person Veronica Butler is ready to see is the man who made her believe they’d be together forever, then vanished and broke her heart. Widowed and struggling to hold onto her children's heritage, she refuses his help but has trouble resisting the way he makes her remember how deeply she once loved him…except that when he learns the secret she's been keeping all these years, she'll lose him all over again. 

Review

I am a huge fan of Jean Brashear's Texas Heroes series, and out of all the books this is the one I have been looking forward to the most, and I loved it.

It was great to finally get to meet Jackson.  He was mentioned in other books as the mysterious brother/best friend/lover, but we never got to meet him and find out why he left Sweetgrass, or why he disappeared without a trace. It was great to finally hear his story. 

 As far as I know there are 10 books in this series so far, and I hope we get to read many more stories about Jean Brashear's Texas Heroes. 

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Ravaged - Jason Brant

Synopsis

Welcome to the mountains of Pennsylvania, one of the last vestiges of the human race.

Lance York, a self-described loser in another life, has rediscovered himself in the midst of the apocalypse. Along with a cadre of other survivors, including the hardened, sexy Cass, Lance has taken refuge in a compound, struggling to survive the onslaught of monstrosities descending upon them each night.

The horrors that have devoured mankind are changing, their minds rebooting like a computer. Intelligence, the lone advantage of the humans, is returning to the infected. They ravage the compound with calculated, precise strikes, chiseling away at the defenses Lance and his friends have erected.

With the help of new ally, Major Frank Colt, the flickering flame of the old world must fight to stave off the extinguishing tidal wave of the new one.

My Review

It has been 173 days since I read Consumed (yes I counted the days) and was surprised, as it felt like just the other day, and yet, on the other hand it felt like forever as I waited anxiously to find out what happened to our motley crew. Ravaged, I am happy to say, was worth every second of the wait.

I wish I could tell you about everything that happened in this book as there was a lot of really, really good stuff happening all the time – I obviously can’t – but what I cantell you, is that you will not be disappointed.  It was brilliant, it was mind-blowing, and it was also downright scary 99.9% of the time and I loved every nail biting minute of it.  

There has been a noticeable change in each of the main characters, specifically Lance, Cass, Doc and Eifort.  Some of the changes are subtle, but they are there and they add to the believability of the story while also adding depth to the characters which is so important when reading a series. Their story has changed them – and that, is life. 

I did wonder how Jason Brant would maintain the momentum from Consumed (which I loved), but he has done a great job.  It is well written, with great style and the characters are all well developed and compliment a storyline that is truly unique.

This was a heck of a read.  I loved it.

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Ash - Jason Brant

Synopsis

Some things should remain a secret. My name is Asher Benson, and I can read your mind. Sounds great, right? It's a nightmare. Every skeleton in your closet, every condescending thought flitting through your head, blares in my mind like a foghorn when you get close to me. I've been living in relative solitude for half a decade, scraping by with copious amounts of alcohol and self-loathing. This morning was like any other, until a senator shot himself on live television and an entire floor of government analysts committed mass suicide. That was the rough start of a horrible day. Now, I'm on the run with my only friend, an old Army buddy-turned-detective, as cops, spies, and a mind-controlling terrorist chase us through Baltimore's violent streets. The government discovered my secret, and they're upending Heaven and Hell to take me out. They picked the wrong guy to screw with. ***ASH is the expansion and novelization of the previously released novella, ECHOES.***

My Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a fast paced action thriller with great characters and a very unusual and interesting story line.

Ash, the main character, was a confident well-adjusted soldier leading a team in Iraq but after a devastating incident in which he was injured, he was sent back home to a future he could not come to terms with.  He could not cope with what was happening to him and the bottle became his escape, that is, until someone wanted to use him and his gift/curse for their own gain.  He then began to take his life back.

He certainly has my sympathy – I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like to live with the thoughts of random strangers taking up space in my head – I have trouble organizing my own thoughts and having everyone else’s thoughts vying for space would drive me nuts within a few minutes, but it sure made for interesting reading and Jason Brant’s storytelling ability made this a very interesting and entertaining read.

I sincerely hope we get to read more about Ash and his friends in the near future – this is a great story.  I loved it :)

ps I love the cover too.

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Thankless in Death - J.D. Robb

Synopsis:

He looked at his hands, covered with her blood, at the spreading pool of red on the floor, the wild spatters of it on the walls. An artist, he mused. Maybe he should be an artist.  Murder doesn't stop for Thanksgiving.  As the household of NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband Roarke prepares for an invasion of family and friends, an ungrateful son decides to stop the nagging from his parents - by ending their lives.  Soon Jerald Reinhold is working his way through anyone who has ever thwarted him in his path to an easy life. Eve is increasingly frustrated in her efforts to cover all the potential victims as Jerald stays a terrifying step ahead.  As the festivities begin, Eve is desperate to identify which victim on Jerald's long list will be the next, so she can stop the killing spree...

Review:

I have been reading the In Death series by J.D. Robb for many years and have all the books in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story which is told knowing who the killer is right from the outset, and following him on his killing spree. This made for very interesting reading.

This killer is the worst kind possible. He is a weak underachiever with a warped sense of his own self-worth. Anyone who ever belittled him, embarrassed him or made him feel insignificant in any way was going to pay, he would see to that. He had a death list.

Eve is her normal self - she stands for the dead with the ever gorgeous Roarke at her side and together they work to capture the killer and put him behind bars.

But, there seems to be a problem here. Eve and Roarke's relationship and their interaction with each other seemed weak and was lacking in some way. By that I don't mean sexy stuff, I mean fundamentally they seemed different and weren't connecting as in previous books, which is a pity as that is the main reason why this series is so hugely popular.

The writing style has also changed. It is very choppy, which I don't normally mind, but I had to read some of the sentences/paragraphs a few times to get the full meaning. A few sentences did not even make sense at all, and could have done with a good editor.

All in all I enjoyed the book and even though it was disappointing in some aspects, it remains a good story.

Would I recommend it? Yes, as long as the reader knows there are a few editing problems Will I buy the next J.D. Robb book? Yes, definitely - I love Eve and Roarke 

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This Roll in my Soul - Tommie Vaughn

Synopsis:

The Dream Continues… Frankie Spencer and her raucous group of rockers return, swagger intact, hell-bent on lighting up the stages of Los Angeles and beyond. Paths will be chosen, as Frankie and company battle their demons versus desires, fame versus freedom, all in the face of major label interest and for the love of rock ‘n roll. Friendship is their lifeline, as the reality of living the musical dream challenges their strengths and weaknesses, helping them to rise above the smoggy city and transform them into the true stars they were born to be.

Review:

A couple of months ago while book browsing on Amazon, I stumbled across ‘This Rock in my Heart’ by Tommie Vaughn.  I downloaded it immediately and could not put it down.  I was captivated by the story, the characters, and their passion for music.  To say I loved it would be an understatement, so when I was offered an advance copy of ‘This Roll in my Soul’, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on it.

Frankie and her friends have all undergone major changes in their lives.  Some have left LA, some have moved ahead in their careers and some have had to struggle with major personal problems, but they are all working hard at getting their act together and getting their music heard.

This is obviously not an easy task as the music industry in LA is competitive and it is so easy to go for the money when a contract is put in front of you, but can Frankie give up what makes her unique, can she give up the control and the creative freedom to create music which is true to her?  This is a decision Frankie needs to make.  To be able to make a decent living doing what you love most in life is a dream they all live with every day and they need to, and will go to, great lengths to achieve this dream, but at what cost?

Frankie is struggling with her feelings for Jessie, the gorgeous guitarist from Seven Downs, and when they meet again after several months apart, she finds herself having to make a very difficult decision.

It was great reading about Frankie and her friends again, to see what they have been up to and what they plan for the future.   I look forward to the next book.

I loved it 

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Animate Me - Ruth Clampett

Synopsis:

She seemed far beyond his reach…could love draw them together?  For years shy animator Nathan has carried a torch for Brooke, the beautiful and dynamic Director of Development at their animation studio, even creating B-Girl, a comic-book heroine in her likeness. When a new project throws the two of them together, lovestruck Nathan finally seizes his moment – only to find Arnauld, head of the animation studio, claiming exclusive rights to Brooke’s affections.  But Nathan, it turns out, is not giving up on his dreams so easily. With inspired determination, he sets out to be the super hero of wooing his girl. Threatened by his persistence, Arnauld plays dirty – only to spark an uprising at the studio that unleashes the sort of havoc only a building full of frustrated animators can create. While Nathan pulls out all the stops to win his B-girl, Brooke has to choose. Should she pursue the sparkling career that has taken her years to build…or follow her heart?

Review:

This was a fun book to read.  It is a great love story about a guy who works as a cartoon animator.  He is a geek who has trouble socializing and talking to the girls, but he has a huge crush on a super hot girl who works as an exec for the same company – she is a geek at heart too, but has learned to dress and act the part of a successful businesswoman.

It is a really lovely, and hot, story about how they got together and how they tackled the problems being together would create.  I especially enjoyed all the cartoon and comic references, and reading about the process.

It is a really fun and easy read, and pulled me out of my reading slump.  Highly recommend it, it is awesome.

Ruth Clampett has a new book – Mr. 365 – which will be available on Amazon on November 19th.  I will definitely be reading this one too.

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Rebel by Elle Casey

Synopsis

Teagan Cross, college senior, rebel, and wiseass extraordinaire, goes from princess to pauper in a single phone call. Overnight, her life of privilege becomes one of survival, and no matter where she turns, it seems like the world is out to get her. She's not going to fall apart, though. She's a rebel and she's strong … determined to live life on her own terms … and nothing's going to stop her from getting things done and making things right. But when a twist of fate brings her to the doorstep of a different kind of Rebel, she's forced to figure out when something's worth fighting for and when something's worth letting go.

My Review

It is always so exciting to start reading a new series by Elle Casey, and The Rebel Series is no exception. It is a great story with great characters.

I love the three brothers.  They are the tattooed bad boys, but behind the tough exteriors are men who are protective about those they care about. Rebel is the level headed one who tries to keep his brothers out of trouble.  He does not say much - he is the strong silent type which makes him even sexier, if that is even possible, and he drives Teagan crazy.

Teagan on the other hand has a vocabulary and a mouth on her that puts everyone else to shame.  She is a smart, rich, college girl who due to circumstances finds herself living and working on the wrong side of the tracks, and deals with it in her own way - with hilarious consequences.

Teagan and Quin, who is her best friend, come across as younger than their age at times, which was a bit disconcerting, but their friendship is important to them both as they deal with life, and the situations they find themselves in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sorry it had to end, but I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.

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Seven Years - Dannika Dark

Synopsis:

Paranormal Romance Series Seven years ago, my world ended. Seven years later, my new life began. It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier. Dammit. Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past? 18+ Cliffhanger-free

Review:

I have been waiting for this book for what seems like ages.  I am not the most patient person in the world and kept pressing the refresh button on Amazon ……… waiting, until finally in went live for South African readers and I had it safely stored on my kindle.

I love the Mageri series and was a bit worried that because I am such a big fan, and because this series is written in the same world, that it would seem like a filler, or a poor relation (lol) to the Mageri cast.  I need not have worried, Ms Dark has delivered a brilliant start to another great series I can get lost in.

One of Dannika Dark’s strongest points – apart from a great imagination and her awesome writing skills, is her ability to create characters we can relate to. All the characters portrayed have been incredibly well thought out – each and every one of them.  They all have their strong points and their weaknesses or flaws which make them come alive in a way that makes me care about what happens to them all.

I loved the story, the characters, the world they live in and the promise of things to come.  I did not want it to end, but it ended on a solid note – and I am extremely happy about that.    This is a great book, I loved it.

I really like the fact that that there is a note attached to the synopsis which says this book is cliffhanger- free.  I hate cliffhangers with a passion and avoid books if I know there is one, unless the entire series is out – and even then I am hesitant to buy, just on principle.

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Wethering The Storm by Samantha Towle

Synopsis:

Music journalist Tru Bennett has done the impossible: capture the heart of rock-star bad boy Jake Wethers. Now they’re busy planning a wedding and navigating their new life together in the US. Of course Tru misses London and her best friend, Simone, but living happily ever after with Jake in LA is going to be great…right? Wrong. Even the bright California sun can’t whitewash the dark side of celebrity coupledom. Greedy music execs, merciless paparazzi, and Jake’s wild past are lurking around every corner. Making matters worse, Jake announces he doesn’t want kids, which just may be a deal breaker.  Tru loves Jake more than anything. But when a devastating crisis threatens to destroy everything they’ve fought for, the couple must face the hard truth: What if, this time, love is not enough?

My Review:

Rock fiction is one of my favorite genres - I have read so many I often wonder if it is time to give it a rest, but then I find a series like The Storm Series and I say NEVER!. So much about the story has been said before, The Bad Boy of Rock meets The Girl and he changes his wicked ways - done one hundred and one times. Yes, but this one is different, at least I think so. The only problem I had with the story was the jealousy triggered tantrums, by both Jake and Tru. I hate jealousy, but that is just me, I am sure other readers won't have a problem with it, as it is a big part of the story- but I hate destructive jealousy in any form and it puts me on edge. Tru's insecurities drove me nuts at times, but it is probably not easy to love someone and have to put up with all the women who throw themselves at your man. She was also inclined to act first in temper or in a fit of jealousy without a thought to the consequences - sometimes I wondered if I even liked her as a character, but as the book progressed she seemed to mature and come to terms with Jake's life and the changes she would need to make and accept if she wanted to be a part of his life. I never, every cry when I read - but I cried reading this book. There were scenes that were so beautifully written I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I enjoyed this book. It is well written, with great characters and a really good story line - predictable at times, but I loved it anyway. There aren't many books I will read twice, but this is one I will grab when looking for a good Rock 'n Roll read. 

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Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance

Synopsis:

This is a full-length, 115k word novel and is the first book in the Knitting in the City series.

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris: 1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved, 2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and 3) She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan- aka Sir McHotpants- witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn- the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies- to make her an offer she can't refuse.

Review:

I adored this book.

After reading and enjoying Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid, I was sure I would enjoy this one too, and I was quite happy to jump right in and start reading it straight away.

I am sure we have all read a book that we did not want to finish – because it was so enjoyable.  It would have been perfect if I could have read a chapter a day.  That would have meant I could read a bit every day for the next few weeks and have something to look forward to each day – but that is unfortunately not how it works.  I could not put this book down, not for anything.

I loved the two main characters, Janie and Quinn.  They are two total opposites, and yet so perfect for each other.

Janie is in fact one of my favourite characters of all time.  There is just something so endearing about her.  I loved that she was so smart.  I also loved her eccentricities, her ‘geekiness’/’nerdiness’ and her somewhat naive outlook on life.  The fact that she came out with the most amazing and totally irrelevant information whenever she became nervous or flustered made for hilarious reading.  I adored her.

Quinn, he is her Sir McHotpants.  He is The Boss.  He is sexy and gorgeous, but is very serious and stern most of the time, and yet he was putty in her hands.  I loved that too - he is a great character.

Thanks goodness I read this on my Kindle – there were words I have never seen, never mind heard, in my life before, so the dictionary was used on a number of occasions.  Not that I am complaining, I enjoyed it.

The only thing I did not like about this book, is the fact that it had to end.  I am now at a loss - what do I read next?

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Friends Without Benefits - Penny Reid

Synopsis:

Friends Without Benefits can be read as a standalone, is a full length 120k word novel, and is book#2 in the Knitting in the City Series.

There are three things you need to know about Elizabeth Finney: 1) She suffers from severe sarcastic syndrome, especially when she's unnerved, 2) No one unnerves her like Nico Manganiello, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Elizabeth Finney is almost always right about everything: the musical merits of boy bands are undervalued by society, “benefits” with human Ken dolls are better without friendship, and the sun has set on her once-in-a-lifetime chance for true love. But when Elizabeth’s plans for benefits without friendship are disarmed by the irritatingly charismatic and chauvinistic Nico Manganiello- her former nemesis- she finds herself struggling to maintain the electric fence around her heart while avoiding electrocution or, worse, falling in love.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It was a fun read, it was romantic, and it made me laugh – I love that combination.

The story is about Elizabeth and Nico who grew up together.  Nico has loved Elizabeth his whole life, but she had no idea how he felt about her, even after the one night she spent with him after sneaking into his bedroom (as teenagers).  She left the next day and cut all ties with him and that was the last time they saw or heard from each other until years later when a chance meeting brought them back together again.  By this time she was a doctor and he was the very famous and charismatic star of his own TV show.  Sparks flew.

Elizabeth is a complex character – but she had so much noise going on inside her head she was incapable of listening, or making rational decisions where Nico was concerned.  Nico on the other hand knew what he wanted and went for it – no questions and no hesitation.

There were times when I wanted to tell Elizabeth to sit down, sit still and focus, and.. just.. listen, not to what was going on in her own head, but to listen to what Nico was actually trying to say.  She always acted first without thinking, and seemed incapable of rational thought when in the same room as Nico.  She is a great character and made me laugh out loud a number of times.

I found the "closed door" and "open door" versions of the love scene a welcome addition as the reader can choose which version they are most comfortable with.  Made a refreshing change.

For some reason I bought this book without reading Neanderthal Seeks Human – the first book in the 'Knitting in the City' series.  I have since rectified that and look forward to reading it, and many more books by Penny Reid as I enjoy her relaxed writing style and humour.

Friends Without Benefits is a great read.  

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Elle Casey - News

BOOK NEWS

Rebel by Elle Casey

To Be Published:  End of October 2013

Genre: New Adult Romance

  Rebel is Elle Casey's latest book which is due to be published at the end of October.  As usual with an Elle Casey book - I am REALLY looking forward to this :)

  Teagan Cross, college senior, rebel, and wiseass extraordinaire, goes from princess to pauper in a single phone call. Overnight, her life of privilege becomes one of survival, and no matter where she turns, it seems like the world is out to get her. She's not going to fall apart, though.She's a rebel and she's strong … determined to live life on her own terms … and nothing's going to stop her from getting things done and making things right. But when a twist of fate brings her to the doorstep of a different kind of Rebel, she's forced to figure out when something's worth fighting for and when something's worth letting go.

      WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK!!

  Add REBEL to your "Want-to-read" bookshelf on Goodreads. Someone on that list of "To-readers" will be getting the e-book for FREE, in advance, as a gift from Elle Casey (Winner will be selected by randomizer in late October). 

  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18111600-rebel?

  Good luck and Happy Reading

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Synopsis:

The uncanny abilities of London crime-scene specialist Kelly Jacks to coax evidence from the most unpromising of crime scenes once earned her the nickname of The Blood Whisperer.

Then six years ago all that changed.

Kelly woke next to the butchered body of a man, the knife in her hands and no memory of what happened.

She trusted the evidence would prove her innocent.

It didn’t.

Now released after serving her sentence for involuntary manslaughter, Kelly must try to piece her life back together. Shunned by former colleagues and friends, the only work she can get is with the crime-scene cleaning firm run by her old mentor.

But old habits die hard. And when her instincts tell her things are not as they appear at the scene of a routine suicide, she can’t help but ask questions that somebody does not want answered.

Plunged into the nightmare of being branded a killer once again, Kelly is soon fleeing the police, Russian thugs and a local gangster. Betrayed at every turn, she is fast running out of options.

But Kelly acquired a whole new set of skills on the inside. Now street-smart and wary, can she use everything she’s learned to evade capture and stay alive long enough to clear her name?

My Review:

The Blood Whisperer by Zoë Sharp has restored my love for the thriller/mystery genre, and reminded me what it is about the genre that I love so much.

This is a standalone novel featuring Kelly Jacks.  It tells the story of how Kelly ended up on the other side of the spectrum, as a clean-up specialist rather than a crime scene specialist.

Kelly is a really strong character, and I certainly would not mess with her.  She has some serious skills which she picked up when she was serving time in prison for murder, and she is not scared to use them when necessary.  She is on a mission - she is determined to clear her name of the latest charges against her, and will not stop until she gets the answers.  Things don’t always go according to plan though, and she finds herself in some difficult situations.

It is a great story, with lots of twists and turns I never saw coming, and yet when they burst onto the page I was both amazed and impressed.

As is usual with Zoë Sharp, the writing is brilliant, the plot masterful and the characters all well thought out and executed, which is a huge plus for me – I like to feel a connection to the characters portrayed.

I am unashamedly a ‘people watcher’, I like to know what makes people tick, and Zoë Sharp nails this perfectly – her characters come alive on the page, from the main character to the random guy in the office, they are all people with a history, they are people you would either like to get to know, or would avoid at all costs.

It is always such a pleasure to read a book by this author.  I highly recommend The Blood Whisperer, it is a brilliant read.

[funwithbooksblog]

Ground Zero - A Zombie Apocalypse - Nicholas Ryan

Synopsis:

Aboard a freighter bound for Baltimore harbor, an Iranian terrorist prepares to unleash an unimaginable horror upon the United States. The 'Wrath' is an undead plague - an infection that consumes its victims with a maddening rage and turns them into mindless blood-thirsty killers.

Jack Cutter is just an ordinary guy dealing with a dreadful guilt when the virus tears through his home town. Before it's too late, Cutter will have to find a way to survive, and find a reason to fight: HIS REDEMPTION.

My Review:

I LOVE Zombie fiction.

I have a few favourite zombie fiction authors and have read all their books, they are:  Jason Brant, D J Molles, John O’Brien and James N Cook ........  and now Nicholas Ryan has been added to that list.

When I first heard about Ground Zero: A Zombie Apocalypse, I was excited but also nervous as there are quite a few really bad (in my opinion) zombie books out there.  A few days ago I read on Facebook that the book was available on Amazon, and I was there to download it immediately, hoping that it would be great addition to my zombie library.

On the first page of the book is this:

“This is exactly the kind of intelligent, action-packed zombie thriller that fans of D J Molles and Max Brooks will love - ZombieBookBlog”

And I thought, Yeah?  Raising my eyebrows slightly ........... boy, was I in for a surprise.  This book IS that good.

I loved the story and I particularly liked the fact that we knew from chapter one what was happening.  The who, why, and how of the story was told upfront which was a pleasant change, as I could then sit back and read without the usual questions hanging in the air.

It is extremely well written and was such a pleasure to read. Good writing can have you on the edge of your seat throughout the book (no distractions), and this is what happened with Ground Zero.  The author and his editor (?) did a really good job.

The action was non-stop from the start right up until the incredible end.  It was nerve-wracking, and each action packed scene was well thought out.

The characters were all great, with good background information which made the read even more enjoyable.  Some of the characters had to make some really tough choices, but when faced with the end of the world, your survival and the survival of others makes every decision you make vital, and sometimes, difficult decisions need to be made.

I am not sure, but I think this is a stand alone novel, but I sincerely hope I am wrong as I would love to read more about Jack Cutter and what happens next.

This is a really great story.  I loved it and highly recommend it.