Bakers Dozen 2013: 8

Fire-Starter by Stephen King

So many of you know this famous book by Stephen King which was made into a movie starting a very young Drew Barrymore.  Now I haven't read a huge array of Stephen King novels, but this was the first one that I had ever read by him and I think this book was pivotal in getting my start reading books other than V.C. Andrews.

Now I shouldn't really have to talk about the plot because everyone should have at least some idea of what this book is about but if not I'll briefly explain it.  The novel starts off with Andy meeting his wife Vicky for the first time during a government experiment for extra cash.  The fall in love and get married and give birth to a little girl, Charlie.  Now one of the side effects of this experiment is that Andy and Vicky end up with some special abilities, but because they aren't natural they are very painful to do.  But Charlie's abilities come natural to her.  She has the ability to start fires with her mind.  Vicky ends up getting murdered and Charlie and Andy are on the run from the government, whom want to see the full extent of Charlie's powers.

So this book kind of touches on a lot of different themes.  One is of course government abuse of power.  Which is kind of scary to think about.  I mean you just trying to figure out a way to make a few bucks and you take this crazy drug that has a LSD effect and give you powers and now the government wants to kill you in order to protect their ass.  Yeah kind of scary.  Another is of course to thought of people with special powers or mutants.  Which can also be another terrifying thought that there are people out there that have the power to cause harm without moving a finger.   So I think of the reasons I put Fire-Starter on my list was because this helped me to start reading different authors.  There are a few parts of the book that I can recall off the top of my head so this book definitely left a lasting impression on me.

Bakers Dozen 2013: 4

Mind Tryst by Robyn Carr

So this is the first and only book that I have read by Robyn Carr.  I have a lot of her other books in my collection, I just haven't had a chance to get to them.  This I believe was a suggestion from someone at the bookstore that I used to work at before I even started working there.  I think I was closer to 16 years-old when I read this.  So during this time I think I was starting to read a lot of historical romance and V.C. Andrews so this was a different type of novel that what I was use to.  This is considered to be part of the psychological/suspense/thriller/mystery genre.  While I do remember there being an intimate scene there wasn't love or romance in the story.

The book follows Jackie Sheppard who has moved to a small town in the Colorado Rockies after the tragic death of her young son.  She works at a small family law firm, meets Tom a local carpenter, but Jackie can't help distrust others.  Which hinders her relationships.  However as she moves on in this little town disturbing things start to happen to Jackie.  Objects are moved, an imprint of a body shows up on her made bed, a bouquet of wildflowers are left by her door.  Soon she find out more about Tom's checkered past and soon finds herself the next target of a sadistic killer.

This was for sure one of those stories that have kept a lasting memory just because at the time I was pretty much stuck in a rut.  I was kind of surprised by the lack of romance at the time but it fit with in the plot.  The back story for the main character was very well written so you understand where the character came from before the bulk of the story starts.  This was an enjoyable book but I have to be honest, I don't pick it up that often like I might others, but I still remember a lot of this book.

Bakers Dozen 2013: 2

Envy by Sandra Brown

So I believe this was the first book that I had ever read by Sandra Brown.  While it does have a romantic undertone, there are so many different elements to this book that could make it part of a different genre.  Now Sandra Brown is a New Your Times bestseller author with many of her books making it on the list.  She got her start writing harlequin romance under the pen name Erin St. Claire.  So many of the books that I have read by her have been reprints from from that pen name.  But this isn't one of them.

The book is based around New York publisher Maris Matherly-Reed and author Parker Evans (whom claims to be a new author).  The manuscript catches her attention and she travels down to Georgia to meet the author.  Parker has worked hard to conceal is identity and past, but Maris is drawn to the manuscript of two young friends and betrayal.  Maris's life isn't perfect either.  Going through a divorce the chilling novel seems to be connected to her.

This was definitely one of those slow read stories.  Even though I read it fast I missed a lot of details so ever time I would be able to pick up on details that I had missed previously.  This book was a joy to read, but I do have to warn that there is some vulgar language.  Many of the newer books that Brown has written does have some form vulgarity.  But I don't think that it is added unnecessary, I think the vulgar aspects fits with the story plot pretty well.

Book Review: No Mercy

No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon is another exciting book that ties both Kenyon's Dark-Hunter and Were-Hunter world.  While in all of her books since she has included the three different types of hunters there is usually a mention or involved in one of the books, but this is the first time that two different types were involved romantically.  Again Kenyon brings her love of history, mythology, humor and suspense with a spice of romance into another one of novels.  This is of course a romance novel but Kenyon has through the years kind of underplayed it and had made it more suspenseful.

The story follows two of Kenyon's characters who have either have had a part of have been mentioned in previous books.  These are characters that we were already familiar with and loved.  The two characters are Dev and Samia.  Dev is a were-hunter who is a bear and Samia is a Dark-Hunter.  These two should never mix in a romantic setting but unfortunately it has happened.  Which is a common theme in the Dark-Hunter series by Kenyon.  Dev is a Were-Hunter who is of mix breeding, his father is an Arcadian and mother is a Katagarian.  He is special because he was chosen by the fates to be a Arcadian sentinel.  Which means he is supposed to hunt the Katagarians.  Because of this knowledge Dev has always been weird and different.  Samia is an ancient Amazonian Queen murdered by her own sister, wishing to take her crown.  As she watched her husband and toddler daughter get murdered she vowed revenge selling her soul to the very goddess Artemis that she served in her mortal life.  Like all Dark-Hunters she was given a gift, but her gift is more her curse than anything else.  She can see a persons past just by touching them.  Because of this her sex life had been seriously lacking.  Dev is special to her because when she touches him she gets nothing making him a safe zone.  With the addition to the romance between Dev and Samia, there are up against what is called a super daimon.  Which is a daimon that has adapted to be able to go into the sunlight, which leaves the Dark-Hunters at a large disadvantage because they aren't allowed to go into the sun still.

Again when it comes to Sherrilyn Kenyon it's hard for me to be objective.  But I do have to say, this book wasn't nearly as memorable as some of her other books.  It was still good and I enjoyed reading it, but almost two months after finishing it and finally writing the review, there really isn't a whole lot of parts that sticks out to me.  One of the few parts that I do remember is in all honestly is the tale of Dev and Samia's pasts.  They are both heartbreaking and you definitely feel their pain, Sherrilyn Kenyon is a very good story teller when it comes to expressing painful experiences.

So in the end, I still enjoyed the book, but like I said, it wasn't as exciting as some of Kenyon's other books, but if you're a fan of the Dark-Hunter Saga by Sherrilyn Kenyon this is a definite must to have to read and to have in your collection.

Rating:
3.5 out of 5

On Deck:
Death at Seaworld by David Kirby
The Warrior by Kinley MacGregor
Keeper of the Crystal Spring by Naomi and Deborah Baltuck

So just as a quick note, I was thinking about doing video reviews to go with my written review.  Tell me what you all think.

Book Review: Grand Avenue

Grand Avenue by Joy Fielding

Grand Avenue by Joy Fielding is a drama/mystery/suspense novel about four women who meet at the block park with their toddlers and form a friendship.  Now I have to be honest, if this book wasn't on my on deck I probably wouldn't have read it.  But this book was recommend to by my old book store supervisor, Kristi, who told me to read this book.  Now this is the second book by Joy Fielding that I have read.  While it isn't as morbid as the other book that I had read, the ending was shocking.

The four main characters of this book are Chris, Barbara, Susan and Vicki, each have different personalities and life styles.  Chris is the shyer of the four women and also has a lot of the focus on her character through out the novel.  Her husband is controlling and abusive and she doesn't know how to leave since she has no means to survive.  Barbara is a former Miss Cincinnati  and is obsessed with her appearance and fears the affects of aging.  She also fears that her husband will turn his affections to one of the young co-eds at the college he is a professor at.  Because of this she gets many plastic surgery procedures.  Susan, is the one who is in the most stable and happy marriage.  She's going to college to get her degree in editing and is trying to juggle school and family.  Vicki is the career woman who is a lawyer.  She is also married to the father of her old high school sweet heart so it was hinted from the beginning that there is a lot of tension in her family.  She's also very open about her numerous affairs and isn't afraid to sacrifice the ones she loves just to get ahead.

Each women went through their own little bit of drama but for the most part of the book, Chris's was highlighted the most.  She finally gets away from her husband but unfortunately she is kept from seeing her children and he stalks and harasses her causing her to lose jobs and move on a regular basis.  Barbara's fears come true and her husband leaves her for one of his students.  She clings to her daughter Tracy for support, affection and also for reassurance that she isn't looking old.  She also becomes slightly vindictive by abusing the settlement that her husband will pay her credit cards for five years after the divorce.  Susan finally gets a job working as an editor for Vicki's husbands magazine, but it isn't as perfect as she had hoped because her supervisor tells her that if she doesn't sleep with him she'll be fired.  She gets Vicki to help and wins a big settlement but unfortunately her marriage is rocky at this point and one of her daughters are rebelling.  Vicki probably has the least amount of drama but she is seen through out the book trying to locate her mother whom abandoned her at a young age.  She is also the final pin that breaks the women's friendship at the end of the book when one of the women is viciously murdered.  The end events shatter the strong bond that these women once held forever changing their lives.

This is one of those books that I didn't expect to enjoy but I did.  I read it in one day because I had to find out what happened next with the characters.  While it did seem like something that would be played out in a soap opera it was nice how the author brought the characters to life and drew me in as a reader.  I think anyone who likes reading dramatic books with a hint of suspense and mystery this would be a great book to pick up.  I know I wasn't disappointed after reading it.

Rating:
5 out of 5

On Deck:
No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Warrior by Kinley MacGregor
Keeper of the Crystal Spring by Naomi and Deborah Baltuck

Bakers Dozen 4

I know, I know, I've been lacking in posts.  A lot has happened in the last two weeks and I honestly haven't picked up a book since I read Alterant. So here's another instalment for my Bakers Dozen Series!  Enjoy!

When the Wind Blows by James Patterson

This is one of those books that has stuck with me because it was different.  This was one of many books that my former boss at the book store, Kristi, told me that I had to read.  If you have read any of Patterson's previous book (i.e. Alex Cross novels) this one is different and dabbles in the science fiction realm.

The plot of this story is where the lead character Frannie Devin O'Neill and FBI agent Kit Harrison, then come into contact with Max a girl who was taken from birth by her parents (who believe that she was stillborn) because of her special abilities.  The scientist performed experiments on her and several others when they were in the womb by fusing their DNA with bird DNA hoping to extend the life of people.  The children are at this school and are treated very cruelly, being prepped to be sold to major corporations.  Max escapes and recruits the help of Frannie and Kit.

The book is packed with action and many plot twists.  The story is easy to follow though so there is no need to worry about getting lost.  This was one of the books that kind of renewed my interested in reading, I had hit a dry spot and found myself constantly reading the same genre so this book was a breath of fresh air for me.  I had read a few of James Patterson's books prior to this so I was familiar to his writing style.

This book is one of my favorites because I was drawn in by the unique plot, while I'm sure there are other books that are like this out there, this was the first one that I read so it will always have a place in my head.

Book Review: Glass Houses

Glass Houses by Stella Cameron

So I have to be honest because I've been working so many hours at work, I've been having a hard time finding time to read, but I finished a book last night so here is my review.

Glass Houses by Stella Cameron is a mystery/suspense/romance book.  It starts when photographer Olivia FitzDurham photographs a crime in progress without knowing it.  The people involved realize the mistake and are now after her.  She contacts a man name "Sam" who is actually in the scam, but his house is being watched by Aiden Flynn a New York police officer.  Knowing that Olivia is in grave danger he asks her to come to New York.

This story started off slow for me.  I don't know if it was because I've been tired whenever I have read or if the story really was slow.  The character Olivia is from England so there is English slang in the dialogue which can be a little tricky to follow.  Also the characters were hard to follow and like at first.  If I was to give the book a rating at about half way through it would probably be a 2.  But the book did pick up and started to get interesting.  The love scenes are written more raunchy then some of the other romance novels that I have read in the same genre.  But I did feel that the romance happened kind of randomly in the book and was hard to believe.  But in the end it was a bittersweet happy ending with a twist that I never thought would happen.  And because of that ending it was a nice difference than all of the other romance novels of any genre that I have read.

Generally I enjoyed the book, it was slightly different from all of the other books that I have read that are in the genre, but it was hard to get into at first.  I think if I would have started to read this book when I had more time to really read it at depth and allowed myself more time when I read the first ten chapters I probably wouldn't have had as hard of time getting into as I did.



Rating:
3.5 out of 5

On Deck:
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood
Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
Where's My Hero? (anthology)