Category: G

3/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, E-Book, Fiction, G, RATING, Read in 2011, Review Book

2011.46 REVIEW – Connected by Kathryn Gayle

Tara

Connected
by Kathryn Gayle

Copyright: 2011
Pages: 267
Rating: 3/5
Read: Aug 15 – Aug. 19, 2011
Challenge: No challenge
Yearly Count: 46
Format: E-Book
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer Program

Blurb: The last thing Delilah Preston wanted to do was be a hero, but when she finds herself in a position to prevent an assassination, her conscience wouldn’t let her walk away. As a result, she gets caught up in an FBI investigation and the media spotlight. The problem? Delilah Preston is not who she claims to be. Seven years ago she fled from a cruel and sadistic husband, a powerful underworld figure who wants her back, dead or alive. Enter Special Agent Dominic Santiago who discovers Delilah’s true identity and realizes that after many years of dead-ends, she’s his ticket to taking down notorious crime boss Cap Grimaldi. But Cap isn’t about to let anyone threaten his family’s empire, and quickly devises a plan to not only discredit the Federal Monkey on his back, but also recover his errant wife and the fortune she took from him when she fled.

Review: I received this E-Book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program. First of all I must start out by saying that this book did not immediately draw me in. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was going to like where this book was going. It wasn’t until about 100 pages that the book started to improve for me and I really got interested in it. There were some, “yeah, right”, moments … those where I just couldn’t wrap my mind around them. I also felt as if the ending was a little bit rushed. Now, negative stuff aside, I enjoyed the book overall. I felt as if the writing was strong. The storyline was interesting. I enjoyed the characters, they were all interesting and well-developed. I would definitely recommend this book.

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, G, Nonfiction, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010

REVIEW: The Fun of Dying by Roberta Grimes

Tara

The Fun of Dying: Find Out What Really Happens Next!
by Roberta Grimes

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 149
Rating: 4/5
Read: Oct. 8-15, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Yearly Count: 55

From the back of the book:

If you wonder whether death ends life, how it feels to die, or what heaven might be like, this book is for you. If you worry about a lost loved one or fret about the death of a pet, all the answers to your questions are here. And if you are afraid of death, if you worry that your life has no meaning, or if you have given up on religions, then let this book ease some of your fears while it brings new meaning to your life. Nothing written here is based on the teachings of any religion. Instead, this book draws on more than a century’s worth of evidence to explain in detail how death feels, how it happens, and – most importantly – what comes next. Accounts of near-death experiences are just a small part of the afterlife evidence. A lot of the best death-related evidence was produced in the first half of the 20th century, and it has been ignored ever since by mainstream science and mainstream religions. When it is put together with more recent discoveries, it tells a consistent and amazing story. The Fun of Dying is a complete account of how dying feels and what comes next. Read it, learn the truth, and apply its lessons so you can enjoy your best life forevermore!

I received this book courtesy of Megan Renart at Phenix & Phenix Publicists. This was a quick and easy read, while I didn’t really agree with some of the points that the author made, overall I felt as if it was an interesting read. I haven’t read a lot of books regarding this topic so it was definitely a new learning experience for me. I’m not very religious, so my thoughts in regards to what happens after death are kind of vague. I personally liked the fact that the author made it perfectly clear early on in the book that she is not an “expert” in this field, that she has a career other than studying death (an attorney). I feel like that fact made this book just that much more readable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about death and what happens afterward.

4.5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, Jane Rizzoli, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen

Tara

Ice Cold
by Tess Gerritsen

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 322
Rating: 4.5/5
Read: Oct. 6-9, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Finish that Series Challenge
Yearly Count: 53

First Line: She was the chosen one.

Maura Isles goes to Wyoming for a medical conference. There she meets a man that she went to college with and she makes a split second decision to go skiing with him, his daughter and two of his friends. That uncharacteristic decision will put her life at risk. Getting lost a snowstorm, they end up in a place called Kingdom Come. And Kingdom Come is not somewhere they want to be, it’s an abandoned village with some strange clues left behind. Several days later Jane Rizzoli, back in Boston, receives word that Maura’s charred body has been found in a mountain revine after a terrible car accident. Jane is determined to find out exactly what happened to her friend, but the investigation that she becomes involved in out in Wyoming will prove quite interesting. There are some people who will do anything in order to keep the truth about the people who used to reside in Kingdom Come, but Jane just can’t let things go.

This is the most recent installment in the Rizzoli and Isles series and I have to say I really enjoyed it! I must say, though, that there were some spots in the book that were just unbelievable to me. And I’m very interested to see what the next book in this series will bring based on the ending of this book. I have really enjoyed catching up with this series, and I would highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a great read!

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, Jane Rizzoli, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen

Tara

The Keepsake
by Tess Gerritsen

Copyright: 2008
Pages: 349
Rating: 5/5
Read: Sept. 4-5, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010; Finish That Series Challenge
Yearly Count: 46

First Line: He is coming for me.

A mummy is discovered in the basement of the Crispin Museum in Boston. Nobody knew that it was there, so there is a great deal of excitement surrounding its discovery. Medical Examiner Maura Isles is invited to the hospital to attend the CT scan of the mummy. But what is found during the CT scan is unmistakable – a very modern bullet in the mummy’s leg. This turn of events brings Detective Jane Rizzoli onto the case. The discovery of this modern-day murder victim prompts a search of the Crispin Museum, where remains of another murder victim is found. Realizing that there is a maniac on the loose, Jane Rizzoli becomes very curious about one of the employees of the museum, a woman who seems to have a lot to hide. Having to deal with a murderer who is very proficient in ancient death rituals, it will take a lot of effort from Maura and Jane to track down and stop the Archaeology Killer.

This is the seventh in the Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles series and it just keeps getting better and better. This one I read over the course of 24 hours and just loved every moment of it! It was such a fast-paced book with great twists and turns, and the ending was really surprising for me. I really enjoyed the Egyptian aspect to it, having always been interested in Egypt and mummies. I highly recommend this series to everyone who loves a great mystery. Plus, now we Tess Gerritsen fans can enjoy the Rizzoli & Isles series on TV as an added bonus 🙂 I already have the most recent book in this series on hold at the library and am anxiously awaiting my turn for it!!

3/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, Jane Rizzoli, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen

Tara

The Mephisto Club
by Tess Gerritsen

Copyright: 2006
Pages: 351
Rating: 3/5
Read: Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010; Finish That Series Challenge
Yearly Count: 44

First Line: They looked like the perfect family.

Evil is walking the streets of Boston. And it’s Maura Isles and Jane Rizzoli who catch the first case on Christmas. The murder scene looks like a strange satanic ritual has occurred. But the clues eventually lead them to psychiatrist  Joyce O’Donnell – a woman that Jane absolutely detests. They uncover that O’Donnell belongs to a strange club, the Mephisto Club, which is dedicated to proving that Satan himself exists among us. But it becomes clear that someone is targeting the members of the Mephisto Club. Has someone infiltrated their club, or have they simply drawn the attention of an evil entity?

I will admit, this was not my favorite book. I have liked every book in the Rizzole and Isles series so far, but this one fell a little short for me. I didn’t really care for all the information about evil, Satan, the Bible, you get the point. I also didn’t like the back and forth the book had because Ms. Gerritsen was tying two separate story lines in the same book and didn’t connect them until near the very end. It just wasn’t my favorite book. I hope that the next book in this series is better.

3/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010

REVIEW: Death on the D-List by Nancy Grace

Tara

Death on the D-List
by Nancy Grace

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 281
Rating: 3/5
Read: Aug. 25-29, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010;
Yearly Count: 43

First Line: It was almost cold outside.

After a year away from Manhattan, Hailey Dean has returned. Wanting to get back to a normal life and her practice as a therapist, she tries to settle back into the life she knew before what happened the previous year. But before she realizes it, she has agreed to go on a daytime TV show to fight crime. What was supposed to be a one time appearance has turned into more appearances now that D-list actresses keep getting murdered. NYPD Lieutenant Ethan Kolker, the cop who was convinced that Hailey herself was a murderer the previous year, is now needing her help trying to figure out these murders. As she gets more involved in the investigation, Hailey is shocked to discover that TV can be murder!

This is the second in the Hailey Dean series. I can’t say that I really loved this book, but it was a decent read. For whatever reason, I have not really taken to Hailey’s character all that much. I don’t feel much of a connection to her. Overall, I definitely think that Ms. Grace has a distinct writing talent, but ultimately her books are forgettable in the long run, because I honestly could not remember a single thing from her previous book The Eleventh Victim, which I read last year.

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, Jane Rizzoli, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: Body Double by Tess Gerritsen

Tara

Body Double
by Tess Gerritsen

Copyright: 2004
Pages: 391
Rating: 3/5
Read: Aug. 22-25, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010;  RYOB 2010
Yearly Count: 42

First Line: That boy was watching her again.

Maura Isles is shocked to come home from a conference in Paris to find a dead body in a car parked in front of her house. What’s even worse is the fact that the body looks exactly like Maura. For an only child, Maura is shocked. But a DNA test confirms that the dead woman is indeed her twin sister. Confronted with this new information, Maura becomes curious about the mother who put her up for adoption. But what she will finds out is not necessarily all wonderful. Sometimes the past is better of remaining buried.

This is the fourth in the Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles series. I have to admit, I love the new tv show based on this series that is on TNT. While there are a lot of differences between the tv series and the book series, they are both enjoyable. This particular book was very interesting. It really gave the reader quite a bit more insight into who Maura is as a person. This is definitely a great series, it’s medical-ish, but definitely not too much. Overall, I would recommend this series to anyone who loves a great read.

5/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, Jane Rizzoli, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen

Tara

The Sinner
by Tess Gerritsen

Copyright: 2003
Pages: 355
Rating: 5/5
Read: June 2-5, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; 2010 Celebrate the Author Challenge; Random Reading Challenge; RYOB 2010; Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010
Yearly Count: 28

First Line: The driver refused to take him any farther.

Christmas is around the corner, and no one is unaffected when they get called out to a brutal crime scene at a convent. Two nuns are found, one dead and one critically injured, after being savagely attacked within the walls of the convent. When medical examiner does the autopsy of the dead woman, she is in for a surprise: Sister Camille gave birth shortly before her murder. When another body is found mutilated beyond recognition, it takes a while for Maura to realize that there might just be a connection between the two cases. But what Maura and Detective Jane Rizzoli uncover about these two cases will prove to be even more shocking and will hit even more closer to home for Maura.

This is the third book in the Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles series. I particularly enjoyed this book. First off, it was told from Maura’s perspective, which is different from the first two books where Jane tells the story. So that was kind of nice, it let us into Maura’s world a little bit more. I also enjoyed what Jane was going through in her personal life, it really opened her character up a little as well. I know that after I read the previous book, The Apprentice, I complained a little about Jane’s character. I felt like she was a lot more developed and likable in this installment. I enjoy this series, which I find interesting because for the most part, I do not like medical-type books whatsoever. But I have really taken to these books. I’m looking forward to getting the next book in the mail so I can start it!

4/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, Jane Rizzoli, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, SERIES

REVIEW: The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen

Tara

The Apprentice
by Tess Gerritsen

Copyright: 2002
Pages: 366
Rating: 4/5
Read: Apr. 14-18, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010; Random Reading Challenge; RYOB 2010
Yearly Count: 18

First Line: Today I watched a man die.

Detective Jane Rizzoli somehow managed to survive the previous summer in Boston when she had to face The Surgeon. Still healing emotionally from the effects The Surgeon had on her, Rizzoli is not quite ready when murders begin occurring again that have eerily similar pattern to them. A pattern that suggests The Surgeon is back. But he’s not – he’s still locked safely away in prison … or is he? So maybe he has an acolyte somewhere out there, a maniac who is staging his murders to look like those of The Surgeon. Forced to face The Surgeon once again, Jane Rizzoli is shocked by just how personal it will get this time around.

I read The Surgeon late last year and really loved it. This one was good as well, but I have my issues with it. First of all, at the end of The Surgeon, Warren Hoyt (aka The Surgeon) was put away, so I’m not really quite sure why Ms. Gerritsen felt the need to bring him back. I know it gave more insight into the character of Jane, but I really didn’t feel like it was necessary. I know a lot of authors bring back the bad guys, but I’m not sure Warren Hoyt needed to come back so soon, it probably would have been better if he had reappeared in a later book. Anyway, that’s just my personal gripe. After reading this book, I’m kind of on the fence about whether or not I like Jane’s character. Parts of me just want to slap her and tell her to get over herself – like her jealousy about her previous partner’s new wife – seriously? I’m going to continue on with this series, and I hope that Jane’s character grows on me some more. Overall, I enjoyed this book, I just had some minor gripes about it here and there, nothing major though. I would recommend this book and this series.

3/5, AUTHOR, Book Review, Fiction, G, RATING, Read in 2010, READING CHALLENGES 2010, Review Book

REVIEW: The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello

Tara

The Clouds Roll Away
by Sibella Giorello

Copyright: 2010
Pages: 322
Rating: 3/5
Read: Mar. 27-28, 2010
Challenge: 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010
Yearly Count: 14

First Line: Winter rode into Richmond on the chattering breath of the Atlantic.

Forensic geologist and FBI agent Raleigh Harmon returns to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia after a disciplary transfer to the FBI’s Seattle office. Determined to change her superior’s opinion of her, Raleigh is almost instantly thrown into a case that has more twists and turns than anyone could have ever imagined. Arriving on the scene at a cross burning at a celebrity’s mansion, Raleigh’s supervisor makes it clear that she must clear this case by the end of the year or else face another transfer. But when Raleigh really starts investigating, she fears that there is more to this case than a simple hate crime. Thrown into the world of Richmond’s drug dealing, it will take Raleigh a lot of strength to survive this case.

This book was sent to me for review by Amy Currie with Phenix & Phenix Publicists. I was intrigued by the description of this book, it really appealed to me. I knew going into it that it was a Christian fiction book – something I do not usually read. Overall, I thought the book was good, it was a fast paced read for me. However, I had a little bit of trouble with the cookie-cutter sweetness of it all. I guess maybe I read too much of the grittier, more “hard-core” fiction books and am simply used to that writing style. I appreciated that there was very little curse words (if any, I don’t even remember there being any), absolutely no sex, and light Christian references that were not in the least bit offending. That said, I struggled with the author trying to delve into the world of drug dealing, gun smuggling, and blood diamonds with this clean approach. It just didn’t really work for me.. I also didn’t care for Raleigh’s responses to her superior, she just went inside of herself as she was being berated. I wanted her to break out and really give it to her boss sometimes. Overall a good read, but not something that I’m climbing onto the rooftop to rave about.