Lake Charles, by Ed Lynskey

I was privileged to review Lake Charles in preparation for its upcoming release June 15.

With Lake Charles, Ed Lynskey spins a modern noir classic set in the backwoods of Tennessee.  When Brendan Fishback's sister disappears while on vacation, Brendan and his brother-in-law, Cobb, start to search for her.  Police fraud and corruption are just the start of their trouble - they have stumbled into a much bigger mystery . . .  Vivid characters, deft plot twists, and edge-of-your-seat terror mark Lake Charles as one of those rare novels that will be read for generations to come.

 Ed Lynskey's Lake Charles pulls you in and keeps you looking over your shoulder and around upcoming corners, so to speak, for the entire novel.  Set in the 1970's in the woods, it takes you back to that time and straight into trouble along with Brendan.  You won't be able to put it down 'til you know how it ends.

Pre-order it here.

March Reads

For  book group this month we read Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.  Although I found the book difficult to put down, I did not particularly care for it.




Then I finished The Shack.  I pulled this one off the shelf at my parents' house over Christmas and kept it to finish it.  It is an interesting look at our relationships with God.

Next I read Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews.  This is a cozy mystery novel that was a quick read.  A fun and light mystery book.  I enjoyed it very much and would like to explore more of Ms. Andrews' books.



The next book I read was one I absolutely couldn't put down.  And I loved it.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I loved it.  The story line is riveting and the subtext on government is also intriguing.  I can't wait to read Catching Fire.

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

I am amazed by Alan Brady.  The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, his debut novel, was written when he was 70 years old.  Even more surprising is how well he tells the story through the eyes of a saucy little 11 year old girl.  Here is a review from Amazon.com:

It's the beginning of a lazy summer in 1950 at the sleepy English village of Bishop's Lacey. Up at the great house of Buckshaw, aspiring chemist Flavia de Luce passes the time tinkering in the laboratory she's inherited from her deceased mother and an eccentric great uncle. When Flavia discovers a murdered stranger in the cucumber patch outside her bedroom window early one morning, she decides to leave aside her flasks and Bunsen burners to solve the crime herself, much to the chagrin of the local authorities. But who can blame her? What else does an eleven-year-old science prodigy have to do when left to her own devices? With her widowed father and two older sisters far too preoccupied with their own pursuits and passions—stamp collecting, adventure novels, and boys respectively—Flavia takes off on her trusty bicycle Gladys to catch a murderer. In Alan Bradley's critically acclaimed debut mystery, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, adult readers will be totally charmed by this fearless, funny, and unflappable kid sleuth. But don't be fooled: this carefully plotted detective novel (the first in a new series) features plenty of unexpected twists and turns and loads of tasty period detail. As the pages fly by, you'll be rooting for this curious combination of Harriet the Spy and Sherlock Holmes. Go ahead, take a bite. --Lauren Nemroff

I loved this book.  I read a little slow for me compared to other mystery novels I have read, but I was very pleased with the characters and the plot.  I definitely recommend it!

This is book 2 of 12 for the Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie is a excellent read.  I loved reading this novel.  It kept  me wondering and guessing and analyzing all the way through.  I highly recommend it to everyone!

Check out this link for more info.

This book is 1 of 12 for my Mystery Reading Challenge.

Exit Music by Ian Rankin

This was the first book by Ian Rankin that I read.  I was very interested in checking out his books.  It turns out that I was not disappointed.  It was a good detective story.  I found it quite interested to read a novel that took place in Scotland.  It didn't draw me in quite as much as others I have read, but overall I liked it.

Click here to find out more about it.

The Total Money Makeover

I recently finished reading "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey.  It is a book that teaches how to change how you look at money and finances in order to eliminate debt and create wealth.  It was an easy read with read down to earth advice.  I loved it!  I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Buy it here.

Review: Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

In anticipation of next year's mystery reading challenge, I decided to post a short review of my latest mystery read.  I recently finished Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot's Christmas for a book group that I participate it.  First let me say that I have been a long time fan of Agatha Christie and her characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.  That said, I had not read this particular novel yet as she wrote many.

I loved this read.  It had all the classic markers of this beloved author.  The characters were vivid, the plot was masterfully laid out, and the clues were trickled throughout the novel.  When you reach the end, you are pleasantly surprised.  I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone and everyone.

Blog Tour: Vampyre Blood by George Earl Parker

First off, I want to apologize for posting this late.  It was meant to post this morning, but I clearly didn't get that right.

That said, I want to welcome George Earl Parker's book tour to my site and thank him for the opportunity to review Vampyre Blood: Eight Pints of Trouble.  Here's a synopsis:

When young New Orleans lawyer Bradley Harrington Chester the third lies dying in the street after being hit by a speeding car, it seems that his life is over. But as his spirit drifts away toward a distant light he is approached by an exotic fellow who claims to be both the Count Dracula of legend, and a violin player for The Techno Zombies, a Goth rock band on a world tour. 

The Count explains that with the aid of a wizard he has abandoned his dark legacy, and now finds himself in need of a legal representative. So he offers Brad a deal, he can shuffle off into the light wherever it may lead, or he can become his lawyer, and be revived by a transfusion of Vampyre Blood.

The very last thing the young lawyer remembers before dying was his wife asking for a divorce, and prior to that he remembered being handed the prosecution of a mafia kingpin on his first day at the district attorney’s office. He wondered why the DA was so friendly to him, and so nasty to his star attorney Richard Bleddon, and he wondered why Bleddon had arranged a champagne supper at a fancy restaurant for him and his wife. After which, a speedy midget had snatched his wife’s purse and led him out into the street to die.

Becoming impatient the Count presses for an answer to his offer, and after being assured that he won’t become a Vampyre himself Brad accepts, hoping to go back and make sense of the madness that brought him to the brink of death. Populated by loveable rogues, scheming lawyers, and thieving gypsies, Vampyre Blood—Eight Pints Of Trouble, is an insane romp through the human desire to get what you want at any cost, and the strange places that desire can lead to.

 Does it sound kind of "out there"?  Well, it is.  It's got a very interesting plot will all sorts of different characters juxtaposed for the readers' pleasure.  Parker skillfully develops the characters to the point that it is possible to "know" them.  This book is a wild and crazy ride that I do recommend to anyone interested in the ride.

Blog Tour: Moonlight Falls by Vincent Zandri

Today we are hosting Vincent Zandri with his book Moonlight Falls.

In MOONLIGHT FALLS, novelist and photo journalist Vincent Zandri asks the question "If you knew your life could end at any moment, how far would you go to prove you murdered your lover? " Albany, New York, is the setting of Zandri's paranoid thriller (in the Hitchcock tradition) about Richard "Dick" Moonlight, former APD detective turned private investigator/massage therapist, who believes he killed Scarlet Montana - his illicit lover and wife of his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana. The problem is ... Moonlight doesn't remember what happened!

Does that sound complicated and yet intriguing to you?  That is what I thought.  Moonlight Falls starts with an ex-detective with a complex and not fully explained back-story involving an attempted suicide, an ex-wife, an illicit relationship, and a difficult relationship with the Albany Police Department.  This story gradually unfolds as Moonlight tries to discover what happened to Scarlet.  Moonlight's complicated past complicates his present, making it hard for him to discover the truth.

This book instantly grabs your attention and has you turning the pages to try to gather and put together the pieces of Moonlight's past and present.  The story keeps the reader guessing.  Vincent Zandri is a craftsman and has created a true piece of art with Moonlight Falls.  I recommend it to all my readers.

Buy it here.

Review: Murder in Baker Company by Cilla McCain

Today I am hosting Cilla McCain on my blog.  I received a copy of her new book Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One of Their Own.  This book is the sobering story of the murder of a soldier shortly upon his return from his honorable service.  It presents the events and circumstances leading up to the murder and presents information implicating those who may be indirectly responsible for the horrible death of this soldier.

I struggled with the decision of whether or not to read and review this book as my husband is in the Army and we are a very patriotic family.  We have been introduced to some problems with regard to the way things are sometimes done in the Army, but remain loyal to our Country and her Armed Forces.  That is not to say that we would close our eyes to the problems that exist, but that we choose to be positive about righting things.

That said, I obviously decided to read and review Cilla McCain's book.  I will admit that I read taking everything with a grain of salt.  Because of this, I was very appreciative of Cilla's presentation of the evidence from many perspectives.  This book was clearly well researched and the story is presented from each participants' individual points-of-view.  Therefore, for the most part, I felt that I was not being presented the author's interpretation of the facts and testimonies, but the direct histories.

That said, the book clearly presented an agenda.  As I finished the book, I understood that the primary purpose of the book was to bring to light the details and facts left out of the trial as well as articles and movies written on the murder.  Both the author, as well as the soldier's father, seem to hold the Army itself and their protocols and rhetoric at least partially responsible for the murder.  They seem to believe there is a conspiracy or cover-up involved.  I remain unsure, but I do agree that the information presented in this book is the kind of information that people should be able to have access to thereby allowing them to come to their own conclusions.  It is a weighty subject, but a worthwhile read to those interested in learning more about our soldiers and some of the worst horrors they may face.

Blog Tour: Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan

Today I have the tremendous privilege to host Christa Allan on my blog.  Her debut novel, Walking on Broken Glass is the story of a southern socialite, Leah, who, with the help of her best friend, realizes that she is an alcoholic.  Leah admits her self into a rehab program, but that is only the beginning of the story.

Leah's story is the kind that grabs you by the heart and pulls you in.  The descriptive language allows you to understand and even feel what Leah felt throughout her journey.  I felt fear, anger, hostility, confusion, and later understanding through Leah.  I recommend this book to anyone who would like to take a journey of self-realization through the eyes of Leah.

You can buy Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan here or wherever book are sold.  Enjoy!

Blog Tour: James Hayman's The Cutting

I am so excited to be able to host James Hayman today on his blog tour.  I have loved reading The Cutting and am anxious to share it with you.

Someone is Stealing the Hearts of Beautiful Young Women.

 NYPD homicide detective Mike McCabe left New York for Maine to escape his own dark past and to find a refuge from the violence of the big city for himself and his teenaged daughter, but on the fog-shrouded, cobblestone streets of Portland he finds far more than he bargained for.

On a warm September evening the mutilated body of Katie Dubois, a pretty high school soccer star, turns up, dumped in a Portland scrap yard. Her heart has been neatly and expertly cut from her body. The same day Lucinda Cassidy, a young Portland business-woman and competitive runner, disappears during her morning jog.

Soon other bodies turn up. All young, all blond, all athletes. Very quickly McCabe discovers he’s on the trail of no ordinary killer. Rather his prey is a brilliant, psychopathic surgeon who kills in a bizarre way to satisfy his own strange and frightening desires.

McCabe knows he has to move fast. He has less than one week to find the killer before Cassidy dies and Casey, McCabe’s own daughter is threatened.

 He also knows the clock is ticking.

James Hayman's The Cutting may well be one of my favorite books ever read.  This is in part due to my favor of the genre, but largely a result of the skillful delivery of such a well-crafted story.  The book draws you in from the first pages and doesn't allow you to escape.  Even on the occasions I was able to put the book down, the story continued to run through my mind until resolution was found on the last pages of the novel.  There is enough of a story to draw you in and keep you going, but not so much that you get lost in the details.  The plot itself is an amazing creation.  I urge all readers to take the opportunity to read The Cutting.  It will capture you and draw you in.

Buy it here at Amazon.com.

Review: A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries

Summary courtesy of Blackwell at http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk:

This is the new Inspector Alvarez mystery. The Mallorcan police receive an anonymous call to say a body has been found at the foot of a steep wall of rock. Hoping it is an accident rather than a crime, Alvarez makes cursory enquiries only to find that the medical evidence reveals this could be a murder case. Evidence of motive is the key to deciding whether the rich Englishman has died from suicide, accident or murder. Between a comforting drink and a quiet siesta, Alvarez uncovers several possible motives seeming to draw in just about every other English person on the Island - but one he refuses to countenance is that Mary, the dead man's niece, to whom he was becoming uncomfortably close, could have been guilty. Superior Chief Salas had no such qualms in naming her the prime suspect, however, on learning that Mary was to inherit a fortune from her uncle. And Salas' intolerance, indeed suspicion, of Alvarez and his methods is only too well known...

It is largely a matter of taste, but my reaction to this book is strong dislike.  Instead of finding the interchanges between Alvarez and Salas humorous, I found them distracting and annoying.  The story did not flow well.  However, I did find myself drawn to finish it.  That’s the best thing about a mystery, I suppose.  Despite that, I do not recommend spending time on this read.  It wasn’t awful, but there are surely a lot of better mystery novels.

Review: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

In his novel, The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks has created a likeable, although rebellious character in Ronnie.  Ronnie has had difficulties in her past – some brought on by her own choices, and some by the choices of others.  She gives her mom nothing but trouble.  When told she will spend the summer with her dad, she is angry and does all she can to get out of it.  Her mother persists and Ronnie is forced to spend the summer after her senior year of high school with her father.  The summer, however, turns out to be anything but what she expected.  Her experiences and choices allow her to make some startling realizations about herself and her family.

The only thing I didn’t like about The Last Song was its predictability.  However, that was easily forgivable and even easily overlooked when viewing all of the wonderful attributes of this novel.   Nicholas Sparks has a talent for letting the reader really know and understand the characters and the things that are important to them.  Each chapter brings new insight into the people and events of the story.  Indeed, I found The Last Song extremely difficult to put down as I easily became wound up in the story.  From the first pages to the very last pages I was intensely interested in the story that was unfolding and what it meant about the world described in the book, as well as the world in which I live.  I highly recommend reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.  I do warn you that it will take over your life until you finally finish it.

Review: Spring Bear by Betsy Connor Bowen

Betsy Connor Bowen skillfully grabs the readers’ interest right from the first pages of her Spring Bear: A Novella.  This book brings you to Soper’s Mill, Maine a place that is small-town-America.  Here, the people are unassuming and life is simple, and yet still complicated.  Raw humanity is revealed as the life of Evvie Marrow unfolds.  I highly recommend reading Spring Bear and discovering something about your own humanity.

Weekly Reading Summary

Reviewed
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
To Be Reviewed
10 Secrets Wise Parents Know by Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
Finished
Fed Up by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
Library Books Checked out
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
A Question of Motive by Roderic Jeffries
Murder on Waverly Place by Victoria Thompson

Review: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

In a world of local, national, and international economic challenge, one longs for simple yet effective strategies to gain financial security.  Is it naïve to think that these strategies could have been recorded by an author nearly a century ago?  Would it be even more ludicrous to learn that such strategies are based on those used thousands of years ago?  And yet George S. Clason did capture some of the most basic and yet most successful tools for achieving financial security and even acquiring wealth in his book The Richest Man in Babylon.

In this book, we meet Bansir, a chariot builder in Babylon.  He has worked hard all his life to earn the necessities of life.  One night he dreams he is rich and has all of the finer things in Babylon.  Upon awaking, he is saddened to find that his purse is empty and he has nothing.  He wonders why, after all his hard work, he doesn’t have any gold in his purse.  Upon discussing it with a friend, they decide to inquire of Arkad, the richest man in Babylon.  Arkad was once a poor man of equal standing with Bansir and indeed his peer.  He was able, however, to discover the secrets for acquiring wealth.  He shares freely of these secrets throughout the book.

The Richest Man in Babylon also introduces other characters from the prosperous city of Babylon.  From each one, we are able to learn more of the keys to obtaining financial freedom and growing wealth.  Although the principles may seem overly simplistic, they are shown to work time and again for various characters in the book.

The insight I gained from reading this book was indeed valuable and very applicable even in these complex economic times.  I highly recommend reading this book and espouse the concepts taught therein.  Financial security is possible and can be obtained by adhering to the basic ideas I learned from reading The Richest Man in Babylon.