Monday, March 11, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Mar 11)


What Are You Reading is a weekly Monday Meme that is hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey: http://bookjourney.wordpress.com

Post the books you read last week, book currently being read and books you plan on finishing this week.

Last week I read:

1.  Heron's Cove - Carla Neggers
2.  Notorious Nineteen - Janet Evanovich

I’m currently reading:

1.  Free Fall - Catherine Mann
2.  Murder and Mayhem in Goose Pimple Junction - Amy Metz
3.  Scent to Kill - Christy Fifield

Here's the link:

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-180 

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Notorious Nineteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel [Hardcover]



I've finished "Notorious Nineteen" the 19th book in her Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Product Description

New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is certain of three truths: People don’t just vanish into thin air. Never anger old people. And don’t do what Tiki tells you to do.

After a slow summer of chasing low-level skips for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bonds agency, Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Now it’s on Stephanie to track down the con man. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a witness, or his money-hungry wife. Rumors are stirring that he must have had help with the daring escape or that maybe he never made it out of his room alive. Since the hospital staff’s lips seem to be tighter than the security, and it’s hard for Stephanie to blend in to assisted living, Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur goes in undercover. But when a second felon goes missing from the same hospital, Stephanie is forced into working side by side with Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, in order to crack the case.

The real problem is, no Cubbin also means no way to pay the rent. Desperate for money or maybe just desperate Stephanie accepts a secondary job guarding her secretive and mouthwatering mentor Ranger from a deadly Special Forces adversary. While Stephanie is notorious for finding trouble, she may have found a little more than she bargained for this time around. Then again a little food poisoning, some threatening notes, and a bridesmaid’s dress with an excess of taffeta never killed anyone or did they? If Stephanie Plum wants to bring in a paycheck, she’ll have to remember: No guts, no glory.

About the Author

Janet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Troublemaker graphic novels, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author.

Product Details
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Bantam; 1st Printing edition (November 20, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345527747
ISBN-13: 978-0345527745


My Review:

In this book Stephanie focuses more on her relationship with Joe even though Ranger has a bigger role in this one.

I really enjoyed the part when Stephanie is Ranger's bodyguard and helps him figure who is leaving threatening letters.  I also enjoyed the Cubbin plotline which was quite interesting and Lulu and grandma were hilarious as ever.

3/5

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Heron's Cove (Sharpe & Donovan) [Hardcover]



I've finished "Heron's Cove" the 2nd book in her Sharpe and Donovan series by Carla Neggers.

Product Description

When your safety depends on living a lie

After escaping certain death, deep-cover agent Colin Donovan is back home on the Maine coast with his new love, FBI art crimes expert Emma Sharpe. Then Tatiana Pavlova, a London-based jewelry designer, arrives in Heron's Cove, asking for Emma's help — a prized collection from a lost era of Russian opulence, decadence and rare beauty has resurfaced, and Tatiana warns Emma it's about to be stolen again. And Colin realizes his nightmare isn't over. It's just begun.

And everyone you love is a target
Emma guards her past closely, and Colin is determined to unlock her secrets. As they investigate the mysterious collection and the equally mysterious Tatiana, they confront their greatest challenge. Now they must count on their expertise — and each other — to outwit an enemy who wants to destroy them and everyone they love most.

Who can you afford to trust?
About the Author
Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels, novellas and short stories. Her work has been translated into 24 languages and sold in more than 30 countries. She is a popular speaker around the country as well as a founding member of the New England Chapter of RWA, past president of Novelists, Inc., and past vice president of International Thriller Writers. She and her husband live in a house on a hilltop not far from picturesque Quechee Gorge. 

Product Details
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA (July 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778313751
ISBN-13: 978-0778313755 
My Review:

FBI agent Colin Donovan is deep undercover and he realizes his cover is blown.  He barely escapes with his life when the calvary arrives.
FBI agent Emma Sharpe a former nun and has ties to her family's business Sharpe's Fine Art Recovery is enjoying whiskey tasting with Colin's three brother's and his priest friend Father Finian Bracken at Hurley's in Rock Point Maine.  She gets a call from a long time trusted contact that her man is in trouble and the address.  She places a call to her boss Matt Yankowski to secure Colin's escape.

Russian billionaire Dmitri Rusakov with his trusted security friend Ivan Alexander arrive in Heron's Cove bringing trouble with them.  Also mysterious Tatiana Pavlova, a London-based jewelry designer, arrives in Heron's Cove, asking for Emma's help — a prized collection from a lost era of Russian opulence, decadence and rare beauty has resurfaced, and Tatiana warns Emma it's about to be stolen again.
I really like Emma and Colin together because they understand each other though I wish they would talk to each other instead of getting upset or getting frustrated.
I really enjoyed the art aspect and I really like how 

3.5/5

Books in series:

1.  Saint's Gate
2.  Heron's Cove
3.  Declan's Crossing

New Releases 2013 (Mar 5)





Sweet Tea Revenge (A Tea Shop Mystery) [Hardcover]

In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Agony of the Leaves, Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning may always be a bridesmaid, never a bride, but this groom is never going to make it to the altar.

Theodosia Browning’s dear friend, Delaine Dish, has asked her to be a bridesmaid for her wedding. But when the big day arrives, everything seems to be going wrong. First, a massive storm is brewing over Charleston. A bad omen? Second, Delaine’s maid of honor is late for the ceremony. And finally, the groom not only has cold feet—his whole body is cold. A murderer has crashed the wedding.

As Theodosia comforts a devastated Delaine, she needs to sort out the suspects on the groom’s side from the suspects on the bride’s side. One thing soon becomes apparent—revenge won’t be the only dish served cold at this wedding. And if Theodosia doesn’t watch her step, a cold-blooded killer may have a rude reception in store for her.

INCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES AND TEA TIME TIPS!









Trouble in the Tarot (A Fortune Teller Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

For psychic Sunshine Meadows, sometimes fortunes can be deceiving.


Lately Sunny has been experiencing a period of big opportunity: her business in Divinity, New York, is thriving, and Detective Mitch Stone has finally agreed to take Sunny on a date. But thanks to her clairvoyant abilities, Sunny knows better than anyone that life deals out bad cards along with the good.

When Sunny agrees to read tarot cards at the annual Summer Solstice Carnival, she meets her Granny Gert‘s “arch nemesis” Fiona Atwater, and is overcome by a vision of Fiona in a violent argument. Sunny knows trouble is brewing when Granny and Fiona start having squabbles all over town. But the fighting comes to a head when a local baker gets run over by a big white Cadillac — and Granny and Fiona are found at the crime scene.

Sunny knows she should step aside and let Mitch handle the investigating, but she’s not about to ignore her visions and leave her granny’s life in fate’s hands. 








Bowled Over (Berkley Prime Crime) [Mass Market Paperback]

Stirring up trouble

Vintage kitchenware and cookbook collector Jaymie Leighton has been estranged from her high school best friend Kathy Cooper since they were teenagers, but she never knew what turned Kathy against her. After fireworks at a Fourth of July picnic, Jaymie discovers the body of her former friend in the park. On the ground nearby is Jaymie’s own Depression-era glass bowl, broken in two.

With her fingerprints all over the bowl and a troubled history with the victim, Jaymie suddenly finds herself at the top of the list of suspects. Did the killer intend to frame her for the murder? If so, she is ready to mix it up, because solving crimes is vintage Jaymie Leighton.








Peach Pies and Alibis (A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ellery Adams serves up a mystery that’s a real peach


Ella Mae LeFaye’s Charmed Pie Shoppe is wildly popular in Havenwood, Georgia — which is not surprising since Ella Mae can lace her baked goods with enchantments. The shop’s extraordinary success seems destined to continue when Ella Mae meets an engaged couple who hire her to handle the dessert buffet at their wedding.

But Ella Mae has a lot on her plate. She is also searching for the origin of her magical powers — and hoping to determine if the spark of attraction she feels for the handsome Hugh Dylan is authentic or just her new abilities gone awry.

Then Ella Mae discovers a high-standing member of the community dead, and a wedding guest becomes seriously ill at the event she’s catering. Now she’ll have to use all her sleuthing skills and culinary talents to prove her pies don’t contain a killer ingredient.

Monday, March 4, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (Mar 4)


What Are You Reading is a weekly Monday Meme that is hosted by Sheila from One Persons Journey: http://bookjourney.wordpress.com

Post the books you read last week, book currently being read and books you plan on finishing this week.

Last week I read:

1.  Hit Me - Lawrence Block
2.  Alex Cross Run - James Patterson

I’m currently reading:

1.  Heron's Cove - Carla Neggers
2.  Notorious Nineteen - Janet Evanovich

Here's the link:

http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-179 

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Library Haul 2013 (Mar 3 - 9)


Here's the list of books I picked up from the library this week:

Hardcover:

1.  Scream For Me - Karen Rose
2.  Heron's Cove - Carla Neggers
3.  Notorious Nineteen - Janet Evanovich

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Alex Cross, Run [Hardcover]



I've read "Alex Cross, Run" the book in his Alex Cross series by James Patterson.

Product Description
DON'T LOOK, ALEX CROSS

Top plastic surgeon Elijah Creem is renowned for his skills in the operating room, and for his wild, no-expense-spared "industry parties," bringing in underage exotic dancers and models for nights of drugs, champagne, and uninhibited sex. That is, until Detective Alex Cross busts one of Creem's lavish soirees and ruins his fun. Now Creem is willing to do anything to avoid going to jail.

DON'T THINK, ALEX CROSS

But Alex doesn't have time to dwell on that case. A beautiful woman has been found murdered in her car, a lock of her hair viciously ripped off. Then a second woman is found hanging from a sixth-floor window with a brutal scar slashed across her stomach. When a third mutilated body is discovered, rumors of three serial killers on the loose send Washington D.C. into an all-out frenzy.

JUST RUN

Alex is under so much pressure to solve these three grim cases that he hasn't noticed that someone else investigating him - someone so obsessed and so twisted that they'll do anything - ANYTHING - to get the vengeance they require. Alex Cross, Run is James Patterson's most unrelenting story yet-a white-hot, sensational thrill ride with the most extreme and gripping characters Patterson has ever brought to life.

About the Author

James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 240 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.

Product Details
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (February 18, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316097519
ISBN-13: 978-0316097512

My Review:

The book opens with Alex Cross raiding Elijah Creem's lavish party full of underage girls, guys, drugs, champagne and uninhabited sex.  Elijah is the #1 top well renowned plastic surgeon and when Alex ruins his fun he is determined to do anything to avoid going to jail.  He has recruited his best friend from college Bergman an owner of an modelling agency to help him in his sick and demented killing games.

Also someone is stalking and hunting Alex and his family while on a killing spree.  He enjoys taunting Alex,  follows him to crime scenes and even provokes him to action for his own sick and twisted pleasure.

Elijah is one sick and perverted man who loves underage girls and he has a game with his friend to up one another.  The crime scenes are pretty brutal in nature.

Joshua is sick and perverted who loves underage boys and his crimes are pretty brutal in nature since he likes to stab a certain area of the anatomy many times in a cruel way.

Guidice is a sick psycho who wants to make Alex suffer before killing him.  His crime scenes are pretty brutal too but not as bad as the other two.  He's out for revenge because he blames Alex for the death of his fiancee.

4/5

Friday, March 1, 2013

March Releases

5th
Sweet Tea Revenge - Laura Childs
Seeing is Believing - Erin McCarthy
Trouble in the Tarot - Kari Lee Townsend
Bowled Over - Victoria Hamilton
Peach Pies and Alibis - Ellery Adams
Assaulted Pretzel - Laura Bradford
The Christie Curse - Victoria Abbott

19th
Relentless - Cherry Adair

26th
Let the Dead Sleep - Heather Graham
Til Death - Sharon Sala
Hot Pursuit - Lorie O'Clare