Mercy Street

Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart


What was this book about?

Two teens are dead and two are missing. Did the missing teens kill the others? Where are they now and are they ok? Their family and friends are convinced that they are innocent but the fact that they are gone now – makes them look guilty.

Former police detective Mallory Russo is hired by one of the missing teen’s Priest to find out what happened (and save them). Mallory has a history of doing the right thing even if it means her losing her job and he believes that she can figure out what is going on. The police are shorthanded as it is and don’t have the time to dedicate to the case. New detective Charlie Wannamaker wants to help Mallory find the teens and bring whoever did this awful deed to justice.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed the story and mystery of the book. It isn’t one of those books that you will figure out what is going on and “solve” the case – but it is riveting.

I was slightly disappointed that the original “missing persons” were not found. But I am hoping that this book is just the first in a series of Charlie and Mallory books so that I can find resolution to all my questions..

What genre would you consider this?
Mystery

Overall:

Bring Down the Sun

Bring Down the Sun by Judith Tarr


What was this book about?

She was born the daughter of a god – destined to do good things. The Mother has decided that she must meet the mate that she has chosen for her and that she will bear a son that will rule all.

Of course things are just not that easy – there are many that want to stop her. Some desire the continuation of the Mother’s rule. They know that this son will destroy the group that continues to worship her. Others want control of this ever powerful soon-to-be born man.

She must work to protect him and fulfill her destiny.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

If you like mythology made to be a little more “realistic” then you will like this book. Time passes quickly and you can predict many of the things that are going to happen (which makes sense considering you probably heard some part of the story at one time or another in some fashion).

In general it is an enjoyable read. I don’t know that it is my style necessarily but others may like it.

What genre would you consider this?
Mythology

Overall:

Girls in Trucks

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

What was this book about?

Charlestonian Sarah Walters is a part of the very special debutante group the Camilla Society. She meets girls there that she doesn’t realize will impact her life for many years to come.

“Girls in Trucks” follows Sarah and the other Camilla’s throughout the early years of training for their debutante ball until many years later when they are married, and possibly have children.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

There was so much potential here and I just felt really let down. I know that the style was intended to be this way but it bounced from place to place, year to year, person to person so much that it was hard for me to follow what was going on and who people were. It left me wanting to know the details in between to the point where I just felt left out.

There is no reason (that I can think of) that this had to happen. The story of a girl who doesn’t have a perfect life, surrounded by so many others who don’t have the perfect life seems to be a reasonable one. But you can’t like Sarah and the fact that she doesn’t just make mistakes (and realize them) she just keeps making them. She isn’t a nice person or a good person through much of the book. But when you read the description you think this is a nice "debutante" book and it just so isn’t.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

How to Enjoy a Scandal

How to Enjoy a Scandal by Adrienne Basso

What was this book about?

Gwendolyn has been the victim of society’s strict moral code and she will do anything to make sure that her sister’s do not suffer the same fate themselves. So when Viscount Fairhurst shows up in their small country town – every female in a 50 mile radius is ready to show him why they should be his bride – including her sister.

Jason and his twin brother Jasper are aware that their country estate has been having some problems – it looks to be like someone is embezzling funds. They need to stop it. Despite Jasper being the Viscount – he sends younger brother (and twin) Jason to take care of the problem. Jason realizes quickly that pretending to be the Viscount has its benefits and its drawbacks.

Jason needs to solve this mystery and he wants the help of Gwendolyn to do it. Can he stay in character and still get both the girl and the bad guy?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I didn’t dislike much about this book – it was an easy to read, enjoyable romance novel. There was nothing that screamed “best book ever” and yet nothing that made me want to put it down either.

What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance

Overall:

The Darkest Kiss

The Darkest Kiss by Keri Arthur

What was this book about?

Riley Jenson is part of the Directorate – a group of otherworldly creatures that investigate murders (and other crimes). Riley was forced into by the fact that she is part werewolf and part vamp. This crime fighting life isn’t what she always dreamed of and her lover has left her because he cannot deal with the strain of everything.

Riley’s murder investigations start with society’s best getting murdered by some sort of cat like creature. Riley isn’t used to the bad guy’s getting away from her and she is determined to stop them.

Later another set of murders that seem like they can’t be connected begin. She has two murders out in the world and will stop them no matter the price.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

If you like Riley Jenson books I believe that you will like this one as well. In some ways it is the same old, same old. Riley needs to go out and find the bad guy, and her personal relationships will get in the way.

While Riley’s books seem like the kind books that I would just love there are some things that are just missing for me. I very much liked the first of the series books but my interest in them seems to be waning. It isn’t that they are bad – they just don’t hold my interest as well. I want to focus on the interpersonal relationships of Riley and her brother, how the werewolves, vampires, etc all interact in this way.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal

Overall:

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge by Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark Series Book 5)

What was this book about?

Neomi Laress is the victim of a brutal murder in the 1920’s. She was a professional ballerina that seemed to have it all until a cast-away lover decides to reek revenge on her for the pain his broken heart has caused. Her death leaves her a ghost in the house she loved and worked for. She is forced to stay there, with no interaction with anyone as they cannot see or hear her.

Conrad Wroth hated vampires and even though over 300 years has passed since his brother’s made him one – he cannot forgive them. He has been feeding from many creatures and their blood contains their memories – so now so does he. It is making him crazy. His brother’s are convinced they can find his “Bride” and he can go back to being the loving brother that they all want him to be.

Conrad sees Neomi and can’t help but be drawn to her. But what hope to a vampire and a ghost have for a future?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Conrad has a complex character in that he is neither evil nor good. Yet when he meets Neomi he can’t help but be drawn to her and by being drawn to her he becomes a better man then he was alone.

It is always interesting to meet the author’s views of these world’s for the first time. They can be highly complex and totally unique, or much more like the fairy tales of old. In this case I would say it is totally unique. An interesting take on vampires, ghosts, the world. And while it alludes to other books – I believe it can stand on its own in the series.

Overall I really enjoyed it and plan on reading more of this series in the future.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Blood Noir

Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel)

What was this book about?

Anita has a life that many others do not. She lives with several “boyfriends”, is the human familiar of the Master Vampire of the City, and is a Vampire Hunter. She has complicated relationships with everyone around her – especially the men.

When best friend and sometimes lover Jason Schuyler needs someone to come home to meet his parents he doesn’t even have to ask – Anita volunteers. Jason and his father have a complicated relationship where he has always believed that Jason was gay. So Jason needs someone to pretend to be his girlfriend.

Unfortunately, the return home has many more complications. Jason’s hometown has some secrets of its own and they threaten both Jason and Anita. Not only that but Marmee Noir, the mother of all vampires, is ready to see what she can do to get Anita under her power.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

The book is a decent story on its own. The only thing I would argue with was that I missed the interaction with all the other characters. This book is like “Jason’s Story” with little other forward movement on the overarching plot of Jean Claude, Nathaniel, Micah etc.

I missed the other characters. While it is always fun to see Anita and get a glimpse into her head – I wanted just a little more. Then again – I would always recommend the Anita Blake novels to anyone who likes vampires and is not afraid of some graphic non-traditional sex scenes.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal

Overall:

Domestic Affairs

Domestic Affairs by Eileen Goudge



What was this book about?

Abigail, Lily, and Vaughn grow up as best friends. There seems to be no difference between them even though their social classes should demand it, see Abigail is the housekeeper’s daughter. When a horrible confrontation between Abigail and the twin’s mother forces Abigail and her mother out into the street – Abigail blames Lily for not sticking up for them.

Years pass and everything turns topsy turvey. Abigail is the CEO of a major corporation that she built from the ground up. Lily has just been devastated by her husband’s suicide and the fact that this time her and her son are left to be on the street.

Lily decides to approach Abigail after not having seen her in years. Can she get a job? Abigail decides to “repay” Lily for everything by letting her be her housekeeper (which Lily is definitely not ready to do). She takes the job and everyone finds a little more out about themselves and the complexities of the relationships.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Eileen Goudge does a great job at figuring out the nature of how people interact. The reasons behind actions. They teach you that things are not always what they seem and that figuring out the whole picture often sheds light on more then you could ever have imagined.

I enjoy her books for things start out rough but in the end things work themselves out. Maybe not in a fairy tale way – but instead on what is best for everyone involved.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Blame it on Cupid

Blame it on Cupid by Jennifer Greene



What was this book about?

Fun loving, girly girl Merry becomes the guardian of an 11 year old girl she hasn’t seen in years. She can’t help but want to give that girl everything she never had – a stable loving environment. Charlene (“Charlie”) is nothing like what Merry is expecting. Having been raised by a single father, who is now dead – Charlie is anything but into pink frilly things.

Next door neighbor Jack can’t help but think at first that flighty Merry isn’t going to last long. But instead he realizes there is much more behind her fun exterior. He can’t stop his attraction to her and his teenage sons can’t help but look to her for comfort.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is a fun, flirty romance. All the children have unique personalities that only help the romance progress. And Jack and Merry are more then what they seem on the surface.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

Overall:

Gideon

Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank (Nightwalkers Book 1)

What was this book about?

The Daemon world has been totally changed by the relationship of Jacob and Bella (in Book 1). They are now expecting a child and everyone knows this is the future of the Daemon world and they must protect it. Gideon is the healer for the Daemon’s and is years old. He has known Magdelegna (Legna) since she was a child, but recent feelings for each other cannot be denied.

They have Imprinted – and having two Daemon’s imprint is quite rare. They need to work through the issues that Imprinting brings as well as figure out who wants to kill Bella and her child.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It is almost one big story (the Nightwalker Books). It continues on from story to story but at the same time doesn’t leave you feeling like you aren’t going to get a conclusion in the story that you are reading. You meet characters in early books and are able to follow them to “where they belong”. And once they are “done” with a couple they don’t leave totally, they just are not as much of a focus as they once were. And they aren’t a gratuitous pop-in just to let you see them – they have major character and plotline development. I can’t wait to see what happens to Noah and Damien.

Also if you want to take it to another level – the book shows you that just sticking to your kind will end with the destruction of all. You need to have friends that are Druids, Lycanthropes or Vampires. You need to mate with them and continue your races with them or the world will essentially end.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Chasing Harry Winston

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

What was this book about?

Three women have been friends since college. They each have their own distinct personalities and yet they can’t help but rely on each other for emotional support.

Emmy is the girl next door – sweet, innocent, and loving. What she wants most out of life is a wonderful husband and children. She has been with the same man for over 5 years but he doesn’t seem ready to take the next step. When he leaves her for a younger woman she can’t help but evaluate the sacrifices she made for him. Her friends and family tell her that she is lucky to be rid of him but she doesn’t know if she believes it. She is ready to go out and finally have a fling or two before she settles down.

Adriana is a beautiful rich girl who relies on her parents to provide for her. She flitters from job to job, man to man. She has what to some would be the perfect life of no commitment. Yet when she hears her friends talking about their jobs she feels left out. She knows that her beauty isn’t going to last forever (her mother can’t help but remind her of it over and over and over again). She agrees that she is ready to move on and change her life – she is going to settle down and get engaged in the next year. With no prospects on the horizon it will be harder for her then just finding a man – she needs to find herself to be happy.

The final member of this trio – Leigh has the life her friends dream of. The perfect man – handsome and loving who wants to spend his life with her. The perfect job – a book editor who seems to be rising in the ranks very quickly. But Leigh’s panic and confronting the fact that this life may be perfect for others but isn’t perfect for you – is rising and she needs to confront it. When a job opportunity at work comes up to edit a world famous author – she jumps at the task and meanwhile is forced to figure out what she wants out of life.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book is the perfect realization that 1) the grass is always greener 2) what is good for some people is not what others need out of life 3) you don’t need a man to make you happy. Everyone has different goals and needs as people – be it in their relationships, jobs, or family.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall:

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book that I would want to give my single girlfriends.

Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity

Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity by Kerry Cohen

What was this book about?

Kerry suffers through her parents divorce in a way many children do – by rebelling. Her mother leaves to pursue her own dreams – giving into Kerry’s feelings of abandonment, and Kerry and her sister move in with their father. Kerry’s father really wants to be more of Kerry’s friend then an authority figure and she is left to do what she wants.

What Kerry wants to do is party, meet boys, do drugs and experiment. She wants attention and way to fill the void left in her heart and she does that by appealing to men. She wants them to love her and she finds out the easiest way for them to love her is sexually.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book is scary like no horror story I have ever read. I enjoyed it – don’t get me wrong. But the idea that someone’s daughter (or even mine someday) would behave in a way that leaves them open for so much pain and hurt is just frightening.

Her words and story are painfully honest and require every reader to think about themselves and how certain stories mimic their own past. Whether it was the innocent desire or need or even addiction to be loved by someone, or whether you put yourself in situations that had the possibilities that it could hurt you, there is something in there that I believe that every person out there can relate to.

What genre would you consider this?

Memoir/Biography

Overall:

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book I would never let my husband read if we were expecting a daughter.

Mrs. Perfect

Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

What was this book about?

Taylor Young grew up and moved on with her life. And it has turned into quite the life. She has a house many women drool over. She has a husband that loves her and she can’t help but be attracted to. She has three beautiful daughters.

One day she wakes up and realizes she doesn’t have everything she thought she did. Her husband is distant and keeping secrets that can affect the whole family. These aren’t the types of secrets that you can keep behind closed doors forever.

Taylor must work the drama with her family and her friends. She has to figure out what she is truly capable of – what she is willing to do with her life. And through it all she becomes a better person.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I very much enjoyed this life. It seems like Taylor’s problem is one that many women and many relationships face. It is much easier to concentrate on the things that affect you and let your partner take care of things like finances, the children, or something. But long term living in a bubble like that can take it’s toll on you.

This book is neither preachy nor fluffy. It has a good lesson for everyone and it tells a great story.

Everybody dreams of having a life like Taylor’s but in the end no life is perfect. Behind closed doors something is happening to everyone. Sometimes hard work is the best reward, because it makes you evaluate what you have and cherish the effort it takes to have it.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Best Summer Read!

Jacob

Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank (Nightwalkers Book 1)

What was this book about?

Jacob is a Daemon who enforces the laws of the community. He must keep Daemons from hurting humans. When he meets Isabella, he can’t help but be drawn to her. She is human but also seems to have skills and abilities that humans should not have.

From there it is a journey to discover why Isabella seems to be able to do what she can do. Does this mean that Jacob and Bella can be together? (Since currently that is outlawed for fear that it would hurt the humans).

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed this book. It shed light on many things I hadn’t really totally understood about the Nightwalkers. Starting at the beginning of this series isn’t required but nice to fully understand all the intricacies of what is happening later on.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall: B, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Stray

Stray by Rachel Vincent

fWhat was this book about?

Faythe Sanders has lived a life as one of the few tabbies in a world of werecats. This means she is protected, loved, and sheltered. But Faythe wants more then that – she wants freedom. After escaping the sheltered existence of living in her fathers compound she goes to school, gets a human boyfriend (Andrew) and has friends.

Then things change in the werecat community. Someone is out to kidnap their tabbies. Several have disappeared and there is no way that Faythe’s brothers, father, and ex-boyfriend are going to let that happen to her.

Faythe can’t help but chafe under the new restrictions. She wants nothing more then to find her friends before it is too late. Also, she doesn’t want to live in this life of warecats – she wants to find herself. To add to the complications, her ex-boyfriend Marc, still gets her riled up like no one else and she needs to make sure that she doesn’t let either of them get hurt.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It took a little time at the beginning. The book was mostly about how she didn’t want to be there but that the community, her father – the Alpha, and everyone else was making her stay. She tried and tried to escape but it just wasn’t happening.

Then things shifted. Faythe became more aware of herself and the community that she was a part of whether she wanted to be or not. That is when the story picks up.

It seems almost like this is book 1 not only of a series but in a larger story. Where we find out what is up with Andrew, what they were kidnapping the women for. Will Faythe become the leader of the werecats.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal

Overall: B+