8.27.2017 - Close to Home

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read and review the latest Tracy Crosswhite novel - it was fabulous!

I love reading the next book in a series that I love - it's like sitting down and getting reacquainted with old friends! If you haven't read any of these books, start from the beginning - you will not be disappointed with any of them. In fact, they get even better as you go along!

Tracy's latest case involves a hit-and-run fatality of a young boy. During the investigation, it's discovered that the driver was a serviceman at the Navy base nearby, which means that prosecution gets turned over to the Navy judicial system. Tied into subplots, this book also explores the heroin epidemic that is rampant in this country. This book also introduces us to some new characters that I hope will be in future books.

I don't want to give too much away - this is definitely a book you need to pick up and read for full enjoyment! Lots of great plot twists and continued character exploration.

8.25.2017 - Sourdough

Immense thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Robin Sloan for the opportunity to read his latest work - I loved it!

I was a huge fan of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - I bought it for presents because other people just needed to read it! Then along comes Sourdough - I know that I will be buying this for people also. It's like Sloan knows me - first, a book about books and then a book about baking bread!

Lois is a brilliant young computer coder, wooed to San Francisco from Detroit to work on robotic arms. She finds herself in the company of people just like her, working all the time, even sleeping at work, eating Slurry (a nutritive gel) just for sustenance. When Lois tries a new restaurant, offering spicy soup and sourdough bread, she feels herself becoming a bit more human. When the restaurant owners have to leave, they gift Lois with their magical sourdough starter. Lois feeds it, learns about baking bread and it changes her life.

A magical story (Sloan is the king of putting the touch of magic in his books) that really stresses what it is to be passionate, human, and in touch with all that makes us so, including food and taking the time to make it yourself. In this fast food world, this is a love story to farmers, farm markets, and all of us who love to create food with our own hands. Sourdough bread is the perfect analogy - it's alive, it needs nurturing and love.

I didn't want this book to end - unless it was to hop online and order my King Arthur Sourdough Starter! Very highly recommended!

8.23.2017 - George & Lizzie

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Touchstone and Nancy Pearl for the opportunity to read and review this book.

As stated in the title, this is the story of George and Lizzie. As unlikely a couple as could be - George was raised in a perfect, close family while Lizzie was raised mostly as a psychology experiment by her two professor parents. Lizzie gets into a relationship with George cautiously, one foot in and one foot out, because she can't let go of her past. Her secrets threaten the relationship at every turn.

The book was written in an interesting way, tying in Lizzie's past and football notes in between chapters. Until I got used to it and figured out all the players, it was a tad confusing to me in the beginning. The end redeemed the book for me. I thought the writing was great but Lizzie's character was a bit much and the fact that George stayed was pretty amazing.

3.5 stars - an interesting read.

8.18.2017 - Snap Judgment

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Marcia Clark for the opportunity to read and review her latest book in the Samantha Brinkman series. If you haven't started this series, I highly recommend it! I liked this book the best of the 3 so far and I liked all the others! It was good to delve back into the world of Sam, Alex and Michy and their latest case.

The main case that defense attorney Brinkman was involved with was the death of a young college student, Alicia. Alicia had just broken up with her very controlling boyfriend, Roan, and he was considered the prime suspect. Then just days later he was found dead of an apparent suicide - or was it murder as his mother claimed? Alicia's father is a high-powered attorney and is being looked at as a person of interest, so he retained Sam.

There is also a continuing thread through these books of Sam's involvement with a gang leader that leads to many tense moments.

My only slightly negative is that these books are a bit long, but that takes nothing away from the writing or story. I can't wait to read more - this series is getting better as it goes along!

8.12.2017 - Final Girls

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton, and Riley Sager for the opportunity to read and review this book. Another fantastic debut novel! I could not put this book down - clear your schedules and settle in for an intense psychological thriller.

Ten years ago, Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with college friends - and was the only one to return home alive. At that point, she became a member of the Final Girls - a term given to the lone survivor of a massacre. There are two other members - Lisa, who survived an attack at her sorority, and Samantha - who lived through an attack at the motel where she worked.

Quincy thought she had moved on - she has a great boyfriend and a job as a baking blogger. But then Lisa is found dead in her bathtub and Sam shows up on Quincy's doorstep wanting to drag her back into the past.

Told in alternating timelines of the present and the events that happened to Quincy that night in Pine College. I literally couldn't put this book down - a must read!

8.11.2017 - Unraveling Oliver

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Gallery/Scout Press, and Liz Nugent for the opportunity to read and review this fascinating novel - I loved it! An amazing debut novel!

From the first line, "I expected more of a reaction the first time I hit her," you will be totally engrossed in this novel. Oliver and Alice are a seemingly happily married couple - he is a famous children's author and she illustrates his books - until one night when he first hits her and then beats her into a coma. The rest of the novel alternates voices of friends and neighbors as they react to the news of Oliver's savagery. The title is perfect - each chapter unravels a bit more of the story and a bit more about Oliver.

That this is a debut novel is amazing - each voice is so distinct and allows just a bit more of the story as you go along. Fascinating! Highly recommended!

8.10.2017 - Working Fire

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Bleeker for the opportunity to read and review her latest work.

I really liked her last book, When I'm Gone, and was excited for the opportunity to read Working Fire. This book did not disappoint.

Ellie and Amelia have a very close sisterhood bond - their mother died when the girls were young and they were raised by their dad, a now-retired fire chief in their town. When their dad has a stroke, Ellie leaves medical school to come back to their hometown and help care for him. Amelia is married with two young girls and is busy trying to shuffle her musical career, work at her husband's roofing business, and take care of the girls and her dad.

Ellie is working as a paramedic in town and receives a call about a shooting at her sister's address. From that point on, everyone and everything she has counted on is now called into question. The story is told from Ellie's viewpoint in the present contrasted with Amelia's voice starting months before and working to the present to give background information.

A very good read with a surprising ending!

8.7.2017 - The Art of Hiding

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Amanda Prowse for the opportunity to read and review her latest book! I really liked her last one - The Idea of You - and her latest will not disappoint.

Nina is living large in a well-to-do community, huge house, two boys attending an exclusive prep school. Although she never felt she fit in with the other parents, she loved her family life behind her gated walls. When her husband dies in an accident, her reality comes crashing down. She finds herself homeless, broke, with two boys ripped out of their lives. Nina goes back to her hometown with help from her estranged sister to try and reboot their lives.

Just a good story of the lives we hide from each other and ourselves and for the strength and courage to pick ourselves up. Fast-paced, easy to read novel that will make you tear up and be grateful!

8.3.2017 - The Saboteur

Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Andrew Gross for the opportunity to read his latest thriller - will not disappoint!

In my mind, no one can write a WWII thriller like Andrew Gross. Following up on The One Man, which was excellent, his latest book is based on a true story of a Norwegian resistance fighter during WWII. He is picked to lead a team to destroy the threat of the development of the atomic bomb by the Germans in an old factory in Norway. This is a non-stop, hold your breath, kind of book as Kurt disregards his own personal safety and those of all he cares about to fight for his country and the world at large.

Amazing!