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Review: Sirens in the Night

11/27/2015

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Sirens in the Night
by Michael Bradley

​Synopsis

When three corpses are found at a construction site in Philadelphia, homicide detective Samantha Ballard is assigned to investigate the bizarre deaths. The bodies seem like a hoax – withered like ancient mummies, yet dressed in modern day clothing. As more mummified corpses begin to appear throughout the city, Samantha must embark on an investigation that erodes the line between the possible and impossible.
Jack Allyn, a radio DJ who thinks his career is in a downward spiral, has his world rocked by the unusual murder of his friend. As Jack begins to search for answers, he finds himself coming face to face with a force that is as malevolent as it is entrancing.
With his life in danger, Jack must join forces with Samantha to save the city from an evil that threatens the people of Philadelphia. But with the odds stacked against them, can Jack and Samantha save their city from a primeval force with a deadly purpose?

Review
Sirens in the Night was an entertaining and interesting read! Surely unlike anything I have read before. It is a thriller/detective book that mixes in some mythology, a little pop culture, and a whole lot of intrigue. The characters were quite likable - with the female protagonist being my favorite of course. Any readers of mine will remember how much I like a strong female protagonist and that is what I got in the form of Samantha Ballard. Bradley's writing will have you enjoying the characters and atmosphere of the story. This book may not be for everyone, but definitely will be for some. Mainly, readers interested in science fiction and crime thrillers will deeply enjoy this read. 
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Review: The Deal

11/26/2015

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The Deal
(Off-Campus Book 1)
​by Elle Kennedy
​
Synopsis
She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…
 

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. 

…and it’s going to be oh so good 

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

Review
First of all - look at that cover. This is why I can't justify buying romance sometimes - I tend to be critical of covers, but I really don't like seeing half naked people on my books. I don't mind seeing people, mind you, it's the half naked part that annoys me. It doesn't offend me - it annoys me. But what do I know? the Romance genre is one of the best selling, so I am in the minority. 

With that aside, I gotta say - I loved this book! Here are some reasons (yes, there's a list this week):
- instead of insta-love, it's more like insta-attraction, which is more believable to me
- an honest and nice jock
- passionate woman who has more than just the man as an interest (she sings, is a good student, and has her own set of friends)
- believable backgrounds of physical abuse and rape
- seemingly natural progression from physical attraction to real intimacy (trust)
- problems didn't just disappear! characters had to actually talk about them and face them
- not everything was wrapped up with a bow

I really liked the progression of the stories - I came to care about both Garrett and Hannah. I also enjoyed the care that went into both of their back stories. A really great story - totally recommend it. 

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Thrift Books vs New Books

11/20/2015

 
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I'm currently writing this as I sit with my face hurting - damn sinus problems. So - bear with me. 

Before I started working, all of my books came from thrift stores, library book sales, and garage sales. I didn't fathom getting my books any other way. There's quite nothing like looking through books and finding that one that's been on your wish list. And wait, it's also for 99 cents! Score! I remember finding Wicked, the creme-colored large paperback edition, for 10 cents at my university library's book sale! And how about the time I got Sylvia Plath's Unabridged Journals for free from the public library's librarian (they were culling old book copies). Finding a great book for a great price made me feel really good. 

​

Then I started working, and hey, I realized I could afford new books. New books that no one had ever read before - it was something I had really not experienced before. I was able to walk into Barnes & Noble and (usually with a coupon in hand) pick any book I wanted. I could browse and see what got my attention, or I could go down my wish list and see if I could find the books I know I wanted. It was a different kind of treasure hunt - one I could control. It was nice to have some control when it came to my love of books. 

Used books give you a history when you acquire them. There's marginalia, the smell, and sometimes people have left something of themselves behind, a bookmark, a pressed flower, etc. New books give you a chance to create history. 
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Review: Lessons in Seduction

11/19/2015

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Lessons in Seduction
by Sandra Hyatt

​Synopsis
A prince on a quest to find the perfect wife doesn't have time to trifle with a commoner. But Adam Marconi's longtime friend and sometime driver, Danielle St. Claire, has him contemplating a change in plans. Why can't the royal have a little fun before finally settling down?

Then their supposedly quick affair suddenly turns serious. And Prince Adam finds himself in a quandary. Say goodbye to the one woman who sets his heart and body on fire, or defy all of the rules and cause the scandal of the century.

Review

Hm. This is the first Harlequin Desire title that I read and...it wasn't bad. I actually really did like the story. I enjoy the rich boy loves not so rich girl theme. Danielle is a gutsy character where Adam is a rigid, but warm one. I really could have read more about them. And that is just the thing - I wanted more. I wish I would have known enough to check how many pages this book was because for the Amazon price of $3.99 - I might have passed on it. $3.99 isn't expensive at all - but I've bought ebooks that are $2.99 that are a full book length. This story was too short, and even though I liked the characters, I didn't have any time to fall in love with them or enjoy the tension that supposedly existed between them. 

It's an enjoyable story - borrow the book or wait until it's .99 cents, if it ever is. Maybe $1.99. 

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Review: Life After Life

11/15/2015

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Life After Life
by Kate Atkinson

Synopsis
What if you could live again and again, until you got it right? 

On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war. 

Does Ursula's apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny? And if she can -- will she?

Darkly comic, startlingly poignant, and utterly original -- this is Kate Atkinson at her absolute best. 

Review
Every once in awhile, there is a book that grabs onto you and gives you...feelings. Like, honest to goodness emotions that make you fall in love with the main character. That is what I felt with Life After Life. Ursula Todd is born to die...over and over again. Each life she lives leads her down a different path - she loses and gains people - loses and gains herself. Imagine Groundhog Day with far more serious consequences. And Hitler. 
It was difficult for me to push through the first set of chapters because it can feel repetitive. Once I hit a chunk of story, however, it was impossible to put down. I came to fall in love with Ursula no matter what life she lived in. She is a fantastic protagonist in that she shows, not only intelligence, but strength. She goes through so much in this book that one cannot help but feel she is cursed. 
I don't want to say too much because this book is an experience. It's a tough book to get through - but I whole-heartedly recommend it. 

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