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lauriereadslohf's reviews
1518 reviews
Into the Night by Suzanne Brockmann
3.0
Into The Night is Suzanne Brockman’s latest entry in her on(and on and on)going SEALS saga. In this story yet another of her larger than life heroes falls prey to true love while battling a terrorist cell or two along the way. While I’ve been following this series since its beginning I do believe I may be done waiting with breathless anticipation for the next installment which promises to wrap up character Sam Starret’s love story. More on that later.
This time around Lieutenant Mike Muldoon finds love. He’s a twenty-five year old sweetie-pie of a man who prefers brainy, older, unconventional looking woman and wants to be loved for more than his drop-dead gorgeous looks. Awww. When the President sends his public relations assistant, 30-ish Joan DaCosta, to scope out his team and view their maneuvers Mike is assigned as her SEAL liaison. He’s instantly smitten by the smart, funny, sexy woman and pulls out all the stops to impress her. Unfortunately, Joan insists on thinking of Mike as her “younger brother by a different mother” and refuses to enter into any sort of relationship with him because she feels he’s way too young and sexy for an older lady like herself. Instead she tries to set him up with the President’s daughter which, of course, backfires in the worst way possible.
Though Joan is intelligent and has a wonderful sense of humor she doth protest too much when it comes to her relationship with Mike. And, as much as I enjoyed their love story I do wish more of the book had been committed to it. Sadly, Mike and Joan’s relationship seemed like just another subplot to the many others crowding the book and I didn’t experience the closeness to the characters that I have in the previous Brockmann SEAL books. Taking up a whole lot of space was the obligatory World War II flashbacks and the extended glimpses into Mary Lou and Sam Starret’s miserable marriage.
This brings me to the ongoing tale of doomed romance between fellow SEAL Sam Starret and Alyssa. Several books back I ached for the couple who were separated just when they’d found true love. Now I’m just sick and tired of them. In this entry Sam (who married Mary Lou when he discovered she was pregnant with his child a few books back) is transformed into a miserable husband and a neglectful father. He spends the bulk of the story doing nothing but pining away for his Alyssa instead of acting like a real man and asking Mary Lou for a divorce (which would be a blessing for her). A miraculous thing does happen here though. Mary Lou, who was previously an obnoxious, drunken lush, is now a recovering alcoholic and a loving mother who becomes a sympathetic but still quite needy character. She struggles to do the right thing and longs for love with a desperation that is almost heartbreaking. Mary Lou is friendless and out of a need for comfort and help battling her addiction of alcohol she forms a tentative friendship with a kind man of Arab descent despite her initial fear of his looks. Their friendship was genuine and interesting. Too bad I can’t say the same for Sam whose appearances were tedious and unsympathetic. At this point Sam is a creep in my book and I could care less if he gets together with Alyssa in a future book.
Also going on is (what seems at this point to be) the token look back in history. Joan’s grandmother Charlotte DaCosta looks back to the grief filled year she lost her husband and met a young soldier named Vince during World War II. These glimpses into the past were more of a distraction than anything and I felt jolted out of the story every time they appeared. Normally these flashbacks add richness to the current story but this time they didn’t work for me and they didn’t seem to mesh with the rest of the story at all.
Finally, unlike Brockman’s previous books, “Into The Night” contains a shockingly small of amount of action (I say this because her books are usually non-stop and are impossible to put down!). As a result, it took me over four weeks to get up the ambition to finish this one despite the great characterization of Mary Lou, the humor threaded throughout and the mostly enjoyable love story between Mike and Joan. In the end this book simply didn’t live up to my high expectations for a book written by Suzanne Brockman.
This time around Lieutenant Mike Muldoon finds love. He’s a twenty-five year old sweetie-pie of a man who prefers brainy, older, unconventional looking woman and wants to be loved for more than his drop-dead gorgeous looks. Awww. When the President sends his public relations assistant, 30-ish Joan DaCosta, to scope out his team and view their maneuvers Mike is assigned as her SEAL liaison. He’s instantly smitten by the smart, funny, sexy woman and pulls out all the stops to impress her. Unfortunately, Joan insists on thinking of Mike as her “younger brother by a different mother” and refuses to enter into any sort of relationship with him because she feels he’s way too young and sexy for an older lady like herself. Instead she tries to set him up with the President’s daughter which, of course, backfires in the worst way possible.
Though Joan is intelligent and has a wonderful sense of humor she doth protest too much when it comes to her relationship with Mike. And, as much as I enjoyed their love story I do wish more of the book had been committed to it. Sadly, Mike and Joan’s relationship seemed like just another subplot to the many others crowding the book and I didn’t experience the closeness to the characters that I have in the previous Brockmann SEAL books. Taking up a whole lot of space was the obligatory World War II flashbacks and the extended glimpses into Mary Lou and Sam Starret’s miserable marriage.
This brings me to the ongoing tale of doomed romance between fellow SEAL Sam Starret and Alyssa. Several books back I ached for the couple who were separated just when they’d found true love. Now I’m just sick and tired of them. In this entry Sam (who married Mary Lou when he discovered she was pregnant with his child a few books back) is transformed into a miserable husband and a neglectful father. He spends the bulk of the story doing nothing but pining away for his Alyssa instead of acting like a real man and asking Mary Lou for a divorce (which would be a blessing for her). A miraculous thing does happen here though. Mary Lou, who was previously an obnoxious, drunken lush, is now a recovering alcoholic and a loving mother who becomes a sympathetic but still quite needy character. She struggles to do the right thing and longs for love with a desperation that is almost heartbreaking. Mary Lou is friendless and out of a need for comfort and help battling her addiction of alcohol she forms a tentative friendship with a kind man of Arab descent despite her initial fear of his looks. Their friendship was genuine and interesting. Too bad I can’t say the same for Sam whose appearances were tedious and unsympathetic. At this point Sam is a creep in my book and I could care less if he gets together with Alyssa in a future book.
Also going on is (what seems at this point to be) the token look back in history. Joan’s grandmother Charlotte DaCosta looks back to the grief filled year she lost her husband and met a young soldier named Vince during World War II. These glimpses into the past were more of a distraction than anything and I felt jolted out of the story every time they appeared. Normally these flashbacks add richness to the current story but this time they didn’t work for me and they didn’t seem to mesh with the rest of the story at all.
Finally, unlike Brockman’s previous books, “Into The Night” contains a shockingly small of amount of action (I say this because her books are usually non-stop and are impossible to put down!). As a result, it took me over four weeks to get up the ambition to finish this one despite the great characterization of Mary Lou, the humor threaded throughout and the mostly enjoyable love story between Mike and Joan. In the end this book simply didn’t live up to my high expectations for a book written by Suzanne Brockman.
The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan
4.0
This book contains a really nice overview of many topics for anyone starting out on the path of self-sufficiency. It doesn't go into great detail about any of them but gives a newbie a starting point to begin a more self-sufficient lifestyle and has a decent source of website and book recommendations for further research. It is inspirational for those thinking self-sufficiency is a nice little dream and nothing more.
The author includes diagrams in the very beginning which clearly illustrate how those with even 1/10th of an acre can grow a fair amount of food for a small family. There are also diagrams for 1/4 acre, 1/2 an acre and so on. Unfortunately for me, I can't use the diagrams as written because my house and land are plotted out differently and aren't fully usable but with some tinkering I hope to figure things out. At the very least I will know what should items should be planted next to each other.
With a little more land you can keep chickens, rabbits, hogs, even more veggies and some fruit trees. Once you decide what you want to do with your land you'll want to do further research into topics such as animal husbandry, canning, husking grains, sanitizing your tools, etc. This isn't a keeper for me because it doesn't give enough information about anything to justify me purchasing a copy but it's a great intro. to homesteading.
The author includes diagrams in the very beginning which clearly illustrate how those with even 1/10th of an acre can grow a fair amount of food for a small family. There are also diagrams for 1/4 acre, 1/2 an acre and so on. Unfortunately for me, I can't use the diagrams as written because my house and land are plotted out differently and aren't fully usable but with some tinkering I hope to figure things out. At the very least I will know what should items should be planted next to each other.
With a little more land you can keep chickens, rabbits, hogs, even more veggies and some fruit trees. Once you decide what you want to do with your land you'll want to do further research into topics such as animal husbandry, canning, husking grains, sanitizing your tools, etc. This isn't a keeper for me because it doesn't give enough information about anything to justify me purchasing a copy but it's a great intro. to homesteading.
Lady of Desire by Gaelen Foley
4.0
London 1816. Feisty eighteen year old Lady Jacinda Knight is one her way to Paris. She’s running from her five over-protective brothers who plan to marry her off to their respectable but boring friend because she can’t stay away from trouble. Before she reaches her destination, she is accosted by a young urchin who steals her purse. Acting on impulse, she chases him into a dangerous part of town where she witnesses a gang brawl, a death and is taken captive by gang leader Billy Blade. Hmm, looks to me like Jacinda’s brothers may have had a point. . .
Anyway, Billy Blade then takes Jacinda to his home. He’s overwhelmed by her angelic beauty and wants to keep her safe. One thing leads to another and soon their lips are connected and before you know it Jacinda’s nearly lost her virginal status. Billy, fearing the wraith of Jacinda’s brother, stops in the nick of time and returns her safely to her brothers. Jacinda is furious. This is the beginning of their passionate on again off again relationship.
Billy Blade is much more a complex character than a first glance would assume. His father, a Marquis, was a cruel, sadistic man whose abuse lead Billy to leave his heritage behind and lead a difficult life on the streets. Out of necessity Billy has become an accomplished thief and lives life on his terms. His renegade lifestyle catches up with him when he is captured and faces death by hanging. Billy, left with no options, must face his worst fears and confront his father and the horrific past he left behind if wants to survive.
Billy’s story (which takes up a large bulk of the book) is riveting and emotion filled. I’ve read a few complaints here and there about the fact that Billy’s history takes up too much space and I have to respectfully disagree. Billy’s story is the only thing that kept me turning the pages. The romance with Jacinda just didn’t thrill me. But let me back up a bit and explain why. Jacinda is my least favorite type of heroine. She’s young, impulsive, impossibly gorgeous, pampered and spoiled. She’s someone who has a lot of growing up left to do and, unfortunately, she doesn’t do all that much of it during the course of the book. Though their love story is very passionate there wasn’t much else holding it together. Jacinda simply was not a good match for Billy’s well rounded, thoroughly developed character and he deserved better.
I recommend this story for those looking for a historical romance with a deeper than usual hero or for those who don’t mind a young heroine who is a bit pea-brained at times.
Anyway, Billy Blade then takes Jacinda to his home. He’s overwhelmed by her angelic beauty and wants to keep her safe. One thing leads to another and soon their lips are connected and before you know it Jacinda’s nearly lost her virginal status. Billy, fearing the wraith of Jacinda’s brother, stops in the nick of time and returns her safely to her brothers. Jacinda is furious. This is the beginning of their passionate on again off again relationship.
Billy Blade is much more a complex character than a first glance would assume. His father, a Marquis, was a cruel, sadistic man whose abuse lead Billy to leave his heritage behind and lead a difficult life on the streets. Out of necessity Billy has become an accomplished thief and lives life on his terms. His renegade lifestyle catches up with him when he is captured and faces death by hanging. Billy, left with no options, must face his worst fears and confront his father and the horrific past he left behind if wants to survive.
Billy’s story (which takes up a large bulk of the book) is riveting and emotion filled. I’ve read a few complaints here and there about the fact that Billy’s history takes up too much space and I have to respectfully disagree. Billy’s story is the only thing that kept me turning the pages. The romance with Jacinda just didn’t thrill me. But let me back up a bit and explain why. Jacinda is my least favorite type of heroine. She’s young, impulsive, impossibly gorgeous, pampered and spoiled. She’s someone who has a lot of growing up left to do and, unfortunately, she doesn’t do all that much of it during the course of the book. Though their love story is very passionate there wasn’t much else holding it together. Jacinda simply was not a good match for Billy’s well rounded, thoroughly developed character and he deserved better.
I recommend this story for those looking for a historical romance with a deeper than usual hero or for those who don’t mind a young heroine who is a bit pea-brained at times.
Leave No Trace by Hannah Nyala
4.0
For Tally Nowata a trip to Australia was supposed to be a well deserved vacation. She was looking forward to spending a little quiet time with her lover Paul. Instead, the trip turns into her worst nightmare. Paul left to pick up his daughter at the airport fourteen days ago. He was only supposed to be gone a few hours. Stranded alone in the scorching desert with very little water and even less food Tally must seek out the nearest town (which is an insurmountable length away) in order to survive. As a skilled Search and Rescue Wilderness Ranger in the Rocky Mountains, Tally has had extensive training in survival methods. Unfortunately, Tally is out of her element and all of her survival training is virtually useless in the desolate desert.
As Tally leaves the relative safety of the camp she and Paul had built she soon stumbles upon the grisly truth behind Paul’s disappearance and realizes she’s in far greater danger than she ever anticipated. Hidden in Paul’s ruined vehicle Tally finds Paul’s young daughter (from a failed marriage) Josie who has managed to survive on the meager supplies left in the vehicle. The discovery of Josie gives Tally a reason to carry on even when grief threatens to undo her. She must, at all costs, get the girl to safety.
Gripping from page one “Leave No Trace” only intensifies as Tally must not only struggle to survive against impossible odds but finds herself running for her life. Though tense and filled with suspense the book shines as Tally and Josie, initially wary of each other, get to know each other on a level most people will never experience. Both need each other to survive and forge a bond that gives them the drive to needed to get through the endless days and nights. The characters experience incredible growth and Tally, especially, finds it a life altering experience.
I’ve never had to struggle to survive nor have I been stranded in a barren desert but the author brings the terrifying experience to vivid life. The things Tally and Josie must do in order to survive are sometimes disturbing and are gruesomely described but never for shock value. The story slows down here and there but never for any tedious length of time. Just when it seems like everything will be okay another overwhelming obstacle is thrown in the way. The desperate search for food, the delirium, exhaustion and unexpected wounds and, again, the careful attention to character development make this book an unforgettable experience.
As Tally leaves the relative safety of the camp she and Paul had built she soon stumbles upon the grisly truth behind Paul’s disappearance and realizes she’s in far greater danger than she ever anticipated. Hidden in Paul’s ruined vehicle Tally finds Paul’s young daughter (from a failed marriage) Josie who has managed to survive on the meager supplies left in the vehicle. The discovery of Josie gives Tally a reason to carry on even when grief threatens to undo her. She must, at all costs, get the girl to safety.
Gripping from page one “Leave No Trace” only intensifies as Tally must not only struggle to survive against impossible odds but finds herself running for her life. Though tense and filled with suspense the book shines as Tally and Josie, initially wary of each other, get to know each other on a level most people will never experience. Both need each other to survive and forge a bond that gives them the drive to needed to get through the endless days and nights. The characters experience incredible growth and Tally, especially, finds it a life altering experience.
I’ve never had to struggle to survive nor have I been stranded in a barren desert but the author brings the terrifying experience to vivid life. The things Tally and Josie must do in order to survive are sometimes disturbing and are gruesomely described but never for shock value. The story slows down here and there but never for any tedious length of time. Just when it seems like everything will be okay another overwhelming obstacle is thrown in the way. The desperate search for food, the delirium, exhaustion and unexpected wounds and, again, the careful attention to character development make this book an unforgettable experience.
Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas
5.0
Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas is the sequel to her lovely historical romance “Lady Sophia’s Lover” but it easily stands alone and is just as lovely as its prequel.
Charlotte (Lottie) Howard has successfully escaped an arranged marriage to a wretched man who had grand plans of controlling every aspect of her life. She’s been in hiding for two years, pleasantly spending her time as a lady’s companion. Though she misses her siblings, and even her grasping parents, her life in hiding is preferable to marrying evil Lord Radnor.
Nick Gentry, a Bow Street Runner, has been hired by Radnor to locate Lottie. To infiltrate society he assumes the identity of bored aristocrat “Lord Sydney” and quickly locates her. But something unexpected happens -- loner Nick is fascinated by Lottie and is reluctant to hand her over to the smarmy Radnor. Her uncommon willfulness and need to remain free to live a life of her own choosing draws him to her and he proposes marriage. She reluctantly agrees but the man she’s just agreed to marry isn’t all that he appears to be.
Nick and Lottie get along fabulously well considering they are basically strangers when married and their life together is nearly idyllic. The only thing keeping it from being perfect is Nick’s carefree attitude toward his own life and his inability to let go of (and share with Lottie) his horrific past. His brother-in-law (Ross Cannon from “Lady Sophia’s Lover”) does everything in his power to save Nick from himself, even forcing him to claim his title and rightful place in society as the real “Lord Sydney” but his efforts only enrage Nick. Will the love of his family and Lottie be enough to save Nick and free him from the demons that threaten to consume him?
Well, yeah, of course. This wouldn’t be a romance if the hero jumped off the deep end now would it? But the getting there is what makes the book emotionally satisfying and so much better than most of the romances I’ve read recently. From their first meeting Lottie and Nick’s relationship is filled with secret longing and barely restrained passion and once they become intimate their romance becomes an almost all-consuming thing. It’s wonderful to read about two people who fit together so well and whose obstacle isn’t silly or petty. Also helping things along is the fact that both characters are interesting people. Nick’s past gives him an unpredictable edge while Lottie’s past gives her the ability to understand, accept and support her tortured husband. She knows, only all too well, the fear and loathing that comes with living a life one detests. When these two come together it’s magic, if you’ll excuse the lame cliche. If you’re in the mood for a sensitive romance (with only a smidgen of suspense thrown in) this one’s a good bet.
Charlotte (Lottie) Howard has successfully escaped an arranged marriage to a wretched man who had grand plans of controlling every aspect of her life. She’s been in hiding for two years, pleasantly spending her time as a lady’s companion. Though she misses her siblings, and even her grasping parents, her life in hiding is preferable to marrying evil Lord Radnor.
Nick Gentry, a Bow Street Runner, has been hired by Radnor to locate Lottie. To infiltrate society he assumes the identity of bored aristocrat “Lord Sydney” and quickly locates her. But something unexpected happens -- loner Nick is fascinated by Lottie and is reluctant to hand her over to the smarmy Radnor. Her uncommon willfulness and need to remain free to live a life of her own choosing draws him to her and he proposes marriage. She reluctantly agrees but the man she’s just agreed to marry isn’t all that he appears to be.
Nick and Lottie get along fabulously well considering they are basically strangers when married and their life together is nearly idyllic. The only thing keeping it from being perfect is Nick’s carefree attitude toward his own life and his inability to let go of (and share with Lottie) his horrific past. His brother-in-law (Ross Cannon from “Lady Sophia’s Lover”) does everything in his power to save Nick from himself, even forcing him to claim his title and rightful place in society as the real “Lord Sydney” but his efforts only enrage Nick. Will the love of his family and Lottie be enough to save Nick and free him from the demons that threaten to consume him?
Well, yeah, of course. This wouldn’t be a romance if the hero jumped off the deep end now would it? But the getting there is what makes the book emotionally satisfying and so much better than most of the romances I’ve read recently. From their first meeting Lottie and Nick’s relationship is filled with secret longing and barely restrained passion and once they become intimate their romance becomes an almost all-consuming thing. It’s wonderful to read about two people who fit together so well and whose obstacle isn’t silly or petty. Also helping things along is the fact that both characters are interesting people. Nick’s past gives him an unpredictable edge while Lottie’s past gives her the ability to understand, accept and support her tortured husband. She knows, only all too well, the fear and loathing that comes with living a life one detests. When these two come together it’s magic, if you’ll excuse the lame cliche. If you’re in the mood for a sensitive romance (with only a smidgen of suspense thrown in) this one’s a good bet.
Unnatural Acts and Other Stories by Lucy Taylor
4.0
Unnatural Acts is a 190-page collection of Lucy Taylor’s erotically charged horror filled short stories. The title pretty much says it all but take one look at the cover featuring a backside view of a squatting unclothed beastly looking woman giving birth to frogs while a shocked voyeur looks on and you’ll realize this isn’t stuff for the faint of heart.
Taylor takes readers on a journey into the darkest realms both real and imagined. She writes with unflinching brutality about the grotesque, the disgusting, the shocking and nothing is taboo. I read this in one fell swoop, unable to stop even when repulsed until I had finished the very last page. The standout story for me is the one depicted so grossly on the cover called “Baubo’s Kiss”. It tells about a plain young woman on a trip with her faithless girlfriend who discovers her sexuality in a most unexpected place. Her transformation from doormat to goddess was awe-inspiring. “Making the Woman” is probably the story that disturbed me the most. It’s very short but unforgettable. It’s about two troubled twelve year old children who have seen too much of the dark side of life. One day they decide to make themselves a woman. The cold calculated way in which they perform their task and the final revelation is haunting. “Idol” is a dark, dirty tale about a young man named Conners who is obsessed with a wrestler. When Darius the Python picks Conners out of the crowd to be his sexual partner for the night Conners romantic dreams of forever come true in an unexpectedly twisted way. Many of the other stories feature cruel men while revenge and the search for pleasure (even when the cost may be intense pain or death) is a common thread that binds them.
Lucy Taylor writes extreme horror that can be very unpleasant to read. So, do I recommend it? Yes, but only if you know what you’re in for. You’ve been warned now go find a copy of the book . . .
Taylor takes readers on a journey into the darkest realms both real and imagined. She writes with unflinching brutality about the grotesque, the disgusting, the shocking and nothing is taboo. I read this in one fell swoop, unable to stop even when repulsed until I had finished the very last page. The standout story for me is the one depicted so grossly on the cover called “Baubo’s Kiss”. It tells about a plain young woman on a trip with her faithless girlfriend who discovers her sexuality in a most unexpected place. Her transformation from doormat to goddess was awe-inspiring. “Making the Woman” is probably the story that disturbed me the most. It’s very short but unforgettable. It’s about two troubled twelve year old children who have seen too much of the dark side of life. One day they decide to make themselves a woman. The cold calculated way in which they perform their task and the final revelation is haunting. “Idol” is a dark, dirty tale about a young man named Conners who is obsessed with a wrestler. When Darius the Python picks Conners out of the crowd to be his sexual partner for the night Conners romantic dreams of forever come true in an unexpectedly twisted way. Many of the other stories feature cruel men while revenge and the search for pleasure (even when the cost may be intense pain or death) is a common thread that binds them.
Lucy Taylor writes extreme horror that can be very unpleasant to read. So, do I recommend it? Yes, but only if you know what you’re in for. You’ve been warned now go find a copy of the book . . .
Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray
4.0
This book was charming from beginning to end, never dull, never over-the-top. Having recently read two very lackluster "chick-lit" type books this story was a refreshing change of pace. There was no bitterness, no over the top shenanigans, no ridiculous situations and no 20 or 30-something nitwit heroine.
Instead the story is told from a happily married 60-ish heroine (Caroline) whose life is turned upside down when she receives two phone calls simultaneously from hysterical women. One is her daughter, Kay, who is crying tears of joy because she's become engaged to the catch of the century and the other is from her sister Taffy whose husband just ran off with a younger woman.
Taffy & her nasty little dog Stamp temporarily move in with Caroline and her husband while she decides what to do with the rest of her life. Caroline is less than thrilled with the fact that her daughter is marrying into such a wealthy family especially when she learns that they intend to invite 900 guests. Poor Caroline sees her retirement plans flying out the window.
This story is about life's little (and bigger) bumps and all of the intertwining relationships. I enjoyed the way the author incorporated dance into the story. It read like it was her true passion and added a lot of depth to the characters. There were many touching moments and wise observations about love, romance and marriage. The characters were all terrific and came alive for me and I hated to let them go when the book ended.
This book could have been longer as I felt it all ended too quickly but maybe that's just because I enjoyed it so much.
Instead the story is told from a happily married 60-ish heroine (Caroline) whose life is turned upside down when she receives two phone calls simultaneously from hysterical women. One is her daughter, Kay, who is crying tears of joy because she's become engaged to the catch of the century and the other is from her sister Taffy whose husband just ran off with a younger woman.
Taffy & her nasty little dog Stamp temporarily move in with Caroline and her husband while she decides what to do with the rest of her life. Caroline is less than thrilled with the fact that her daughter is marrying into such a wealthy family especially when she learns that they intend to invite 900 guests. Poor Caroline sees her retirement plans flying out the window.
This story is about life's little (and bigger) bumps and all of the intertwining relationships. I enjoyed the way the author incorporated dance into the story. It read like it was her true passion and added a lot of depth to the characters. There were many touching moments and wise observations about love, romance and marriage. The characters were all terrific and came alive for me and I hated to let them go when the book ended.
This book could have been longer as I felt it all ended too quickly but maybe that's just because I enjoyed it so much.
Mortal Sins by Penelope Williamson, Penn Williamson
3.0
Set in 1920’s deep in the Louisiana bayou Mortal Sins presents so clear a portrait of the time period it’s almost as if you were there feeling the oppressive heat and smelling all of the scents the bayou has to offer. Unfortunately, one of those scents is death.
Police Officer Damon “Day” Rourke is called to the murder scene of a prominent lawyer who has been mutilated and brutally butchered and the story, for the most part, is told from Rourke’s perspective. Rourke is connected to the case in many and numerous ways and only becomes more entangled as the story unfolds. The major suspect in the murder case is the victim’s glamorous movie star wife, Remy. She’s also the one woman who broke Rourke’s young heart. Rourke thought he’d buried thoughts of Remy deep within him. He even married a woman who is now conveniently (or tragically, depending on your level of cynicism) dead and is raising his young daughter alone. Alas, when he sees Remy again all of the hurt, pain and all consuming love comes crashing back and he’s determined to prove her innocence regardless of the consequences. Things become even more complicated when Rourke learns that the “system” wants to pin the murder on his childhood friend Lucille, a beautiful black woman who was the victim’s reluctant mistress.
Mortal Sins is a book rich in description. Everything from the murders, the racial tensions of the time, to the hot sweltering landscape is painted with exquisite detail. And though the book is extremely descriptive (which is important to me), it fails for me on an emotional level because most, if not all, of the characters are so intensely damaged they verge on unlike-ability (especially drop-dead gorgeous, seriously disturbed Remy). In the end I truly didn’t care what happened to any of them with the exception of the sympathetic Lucille. Rourke may be an outstanding cop but he’s a pretty neglectful father and his unflinching support of creepy Remy verges on obsession and makes him come across as a little creepy too. The characters are interesting, I’ll give them that, but it was difficult to work up any sympathy for the lot of ‘em because they’re all so damaged, disturbed or just plain selfish.
I give this story three stars because the writing is rich and because I enjoyed the attention to detail and atmosphere. I also found the mystery and all of the dirty little secrets intriguing and I didn’t find it difficult to turn the pages. But these things aren’t enough to make me wait with breathless anticipating for the upcoming sequel.
Police Officer Damon “Day” Rourke is called to the murder scene of a prominent lawyer who has been mutilated and brutally butchered and the story, for the most part, is told from Rourke’s perspective. Rourke is connected to the case in many and numerous ways and only becomes more entangled as the story unfolds. The major suspect in the murder case is the victim’s glamorous movie star wife, Remy. She’s also the one woman who broke Rourke’s young heart. Rourke thought he’d buried thoughts of Remy deep within him. He even married a woman who is now conveniently (or tragically, depending on your level of cynicism) dead and is raising his young daughter alone. Alas, when he sees Remy again all of the hurt, pain and all consuming love comes crashing back and he’s determined to prove her innocence regardless of the consequences. Things become even more complicated when Rourke learns that the “system” wants to pin the murder on his childhood friend Lucille, a beautiful black woman who was the victim’s reluctant mistress.
Mortal Sins is a book rich in description. Everything from the murders, the racial tensions of the time, to the hot sweltering landscape is painted with exquisite detail. And though the book is extremely descriptive (which is important to me), it fails for me on an emotional level because most, if not all, of the characters are so intensely damaged they verge on unlike-ability (especially drop-dead gorgeous, seriously disturbed Remy). In the end I truly didn’t care what happened to any of them with the exception of the sympathetic Lucille. Rourke may be an outstanding cop but he’s a pretty neglectful father and his unflinching support of creepy Remy verges on obsession and makes him come across as a little creepy too. The characters are interesting, I’ll give them that, but it was difficult to work up any sympathy for the lot of ‘em because they’re all so damaged, disturbed or just plain selfish.
I give this story three stars because the writing is rich and because I enjoyed the attention to detail and atmosphere. I also found the mystery and all of the dirty little secrets intriguing and I didn’t find it difficult to turn the pages. But these things aren’t enough to make me wait with breathless anticipating for the upcoming sequel.
About a Boy by Nick Hornby
5.0
This was a terrific book from beginning to end. Equally funny and sad but never dreary despite the very serious overtones of the book. Marcus was a peculiar, wonderful boy with a huge burden on his shoulders and I really enjoyed watching him become a stronger, confident person. Will was also great. I loved the fact that he was a such a self-centered jerk and completely content to remain that way. No guilt, no remorse, no commitments. Until he meets Marcus, that is. Their relationship was laugh out loud funny and so very believable. I had a very difficult time putting this book down.
Heartsick by Chelsea Cain
4.0
Heartsick has some interesting characters and any book about a female serial killer can always grab my attention.
Detective Archie Sheridan is a seriously haunted man. He was held captive and tortured by female serial killer Gretchen Lowell. She murdered and then resuscitated him and now resides in a prison cell. After his experience, he is unable to be the loving family man he once was and is divorced, addicted to pain killers and is on a mission to provide closure to the families of the victims that Gretchen murdered. In order to do this he continues his bizarre relationship with Gretchen and visits her in jail every Sunday.
When teenagers beginning turning up dead, raped and bleached (in that order) Archie is put back into service. He is being followed around by a pink haired reporter named Susan who is writing an expose on the investigation and Archie's life. During the investigation bits of Archie's time spent in Gretchen's basement are revealed and she turns out to be as darkly disturbed as any of the males usually in her position of power.
This book held my attention because the flashbacks with Archie and Gretchen were captivating and the cast of characters were complex, not always likable and seriously flawed. The resolution to the current murders was a huge disappoint though. It all seemed too coincidental for me to buy into which keeps this book from being memorable for me.
Detective Archie Sheridan is a seriously haunted man. He was held captive and tortured by female serial killer Gretchen Lowell. She murdered and then resuscitated him and now resides in a prison cell. After his experience, he is unable to be the loving family man he once was and is divorced, addicted to pain killers and is on a mission to provide closure to the families of the victims that Gretchen murdered. In order to do this he continues his bizarre relationship with Gretchen and visits her in jail every Sunday.
When teenagers beginning turning up dead, raped and bleached (in that order) Archie is put back into service. He is being followed around by a pink haired reporter named Susan who is writing an expose on the investigation and Archie's life. During the investigation bits of Archie's time spent in Gretchen's basement are revealed and she turns out to be as darkly disturbed as any of the males usually in her position of power.
This book held my attention because the flashbacks with Archie and Gretchen were captivating and the cast of characters were complex, not always likable and seriously flawed. The resolution to the current murders was a huge disappoint though. It all seemed too coincidental for me to buy into which keeps this book from being memorable for me.