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obsidian_blue's reviews
3049 reviews
Sojasoße für Anfänger by Kirstin Chen
5.0
Kristin Chen's debut novel hits all the right notes out of the gate. I wish that "Crazy Rich Asians" had taken a page out of her book. Ms. Chen ensures that you get fully immersed in Singapore by following only one protagonist, Gretchen Lin. We do get some of the "crazy rich Asians" elements when Ms. Chen explains about how much some of her friends and family buy on designer wear or drop money at the latest nightclubs. However, these are more asides than major plot points and you don't find yourself getting bored or frustrated.
I loved that the character of Gretchen is struggling with what to do in her life after a surprising announcement from her husband. Fleeing San Francisco for Singapore we have Gretchen returning to work in her family's soy sauce factory. Ms. Lin then provides the readers with detailed explanations on how "real" soy sauce is prepared. Apparently the soy sauce I have dunked my sushi in all of these years is highly inferior stuff. It was quite interesting to hear how long it takes to make really good soy sauce and that you can actually cook meat with it as well, also drink it (which I would probably still never do).
Also though I found Gretchen to be aggravating at times when it came to her facing what was really going on in her life with her family, her family business, her husband she finally does end up coming to peace on what she needs to do.
Ms. Lin is able to immerse the reader in this novel in such a way that I felt as if I was along with Gretchen smelling soybeans, feeling the moist heat in Singapore, and the air in San Francisco.
My only minor quibble is that sometimes characters speak in Slingish, Chinese, Maylay, etc. I wish that it had been explained in some way. I was able to get the gist a few times but some of the sentences I had no idea what a person was trying to say.
I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Chen in the future. I 100% recommend this novel.
I loved that the character of Gretchen is struggling with what to do in her life after a surprising announcement from her husband. Fleeing San Francisco for Singapore we have Gretchen returning to work in her family's soy sauce factory. Ms. Lin then provides the readers with detailed explanations on how "real" soy sauce is prepared. Apparently the soy sauce I have dunked my sushi in all of these years is highly inferior stuff. It was quite interesting to hear how long it takes to make really good soy sauce and that you can actually cook meat with it as well, also drink it (which I would probably still never do).
Also though I found Gretchen to be aggravating at times when it came to her facing what was really going on in her life with her family, her family business, her husband she finally does end up coming to peace on what she needs to do.
Ms. Lin is able to immerse the reader in this novel in such a way that I felt as if I was along with Gretchen smelling soybeans, feeling the moist heat in Singapore, and the air in San Francisco.
My only minor quibble is that sometimes characters speak in Slingish, Chinese, Maylay, etc. I wish that it had been explained in some way. I was able to get the gist a few times but some of the sentences I had no idea what a person was trying to say.
I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Chen in the future. I 100% recommend this novel.
Three Girls and a New Beginning by Rachel Schurig
5.0
This is the fifth book in the "Three Girls" series and I was so blown away about how much I loved it and how sad it is to see the end of the girls..(maybe?)
Unlike with the previous novels being told from only one of the girls points of views this one is told from Ginny, Jen, and Annie's points of views. We have all of the girls happily settled and in two cases are moms. With more pressure on all of the girls whether it be from their professional lives or when it comes to comparing themselves to other mothers they are starting to keep things from one another and starting to feel resentful of each other.
What I thought was quite realistic is that as you grow up you stop telling your friends every thing that is going on with you. You have a husband/boyfriend/partner that you start to share things with and often if it is too private you feel embarrassed or ashamed to say to a friend that you are jealous of them or having a hard time. It makes you feel as if you are less of a woman somehow if you admit you can't do it all. So with all of the girls falling apart in their own ways when it comes to changes that are going on in all of their lives I thought it was quite realistic that eventually everything would implode.
The only thing I wish had been elaborated on more was the character of Kiki in this story. I loved reading Kiki's story in "The Truth About Ever After" and thought she was more a part of the group now at the conclusion of that novel. It just felt at times she was excluded from the gatherings and hanging out going on with all of the girls.
You definitely won't be disappointed if you pick up this novel! I suggest you read the other novels in the series first though so you can find out who is who. Start out with "Three Girls and a Baby" and work your way from there.
Unlike with the previous novels being told from only one of the girls points of views this one is told from Ginny, Jen, and Annie's points of views. We have all of the girls happily settled and in two cases are moms. With more pressure on all of the girls whether it be from their professional lives or when it comes to comparing themselves to other mothers they are starting to keep things from one another and starting to feel resentful of each other.
What I thought was quite realistic is that as you grow up you stop telling your friends every thing that is going on with you. You have a husband/boyfriend/partner that you start to share things with and often if it is too private you feel embarrassed or ashamed to say to a friend that you are jealous of them or having a hard time. It makes you feel as if you are less of a woman somehow if you admit you can't do it all. So with all of the girls falling apart in their own ways when it comes to changes that are going on in all of their lives I thought it was quite realistic that eventually everything would implode.
The only thing I wish had been elaborated on more was the character of Kiki in this story. I loved reading Kiki's story in "The Truth About Ever After" and thought she was more a part of the group now at the conclusion of that novel. It just felt at times she was excluded from the gatherings and hanging out going on with all of the girls.
You definitely won't be disappointed if you pick up this novel! I suggest you read the other novels in the series first though so you can find out who is who. Start out with "Three Girls and a Baby" and work your way from there.
When Girlfriends Let Go by Savannah Page
3.0
I was really excited to finally get to Jackie Kittredge's story in the "When Girlfriends" series. Based on tidbits told from Laura's and Emily's stories it seemed that Jackie grew up poor and abused by her family and managed to graduate college with all of the other girls. The queen of bad decisions with regards to her boyfriends or jobs she always needed her friends to step in and bail her out.
With this story now focused on Jackie we have her providing details on her life married to her husband Andrew. Andrew is a wealthy man in his 50s and Jackie is getting sick of how much time Andrew spends at work and starts thinking he is having an affair. Combine that with the upheaval in Laura and Claire's lives along with Sophie trying to make her business work and Emily planning her next adventure Jackie is starting to fill left out with regards to her friends lives.
I only gave this novel in the series 3 stars since I felt it lacked background on Jackie, there was very little growth on Jackie's side until the very end of the story, and I honestly did not buy that she and her husband had some great love story going on at all.
Regarding the backstory on Jackie. We do get some details here and there but its all pretty much glossed over about her family. We do get to hear some stories about her back in college but once again it was just told as an aside to something else. I never felt as if I truly got to know Jackie.
Jackie's lack of growth as a friend and wife was rampant throughout 90 percent of the novel. We do finally have her showing some growth towards the end but not in a way that I thought was healthy. I really wish that all of the friends had verbally smacked her around since she reminds me of way too many ex-friends of mine who were constant drama queens. Being around that kind of person all of the time is draining.
Finally, as I said Jackie's marriage to Andrew was just not written to show why in the world either one of them were with the other besides money for Jackie to spend and Andrew being married to a hot younger woman.
It seems as if there is going to be one more story in the "When Girlfriends" series and I hope that one ends on a good note. Also it would be really great if Savannah Page actually has some surprises up her sleeve instead of moving two characters I really don't think belong together towards each other.
I would recommend to fans of the series who want to catch up with all of the girls.
With this story now focused on Jackie we have her providing details on her life married to her husband Andrew. Andrew is a wealthy man in his 50s and Jackie is getting sick of how much time Andrew spends at work and starts thinking he is having an affair. Combine that with the upheaval in Laura and Claire's lives along with Sophie trying to make her business work and Emily planning her next adventure Jackie is starting to fill left out with regards to her friends lives.
I only gave this novel in the series 3 stars since I felt it lacked background on Jackie, there was very little growth on Jackie's side until the very end of the story, and I honestly did not buy that she and her husband had some great love story going on at all.
Regarding the backstory on Jackie. We do get some details here and there but its all pretty much glossed over about her family. We do get to hear some stories about her back in college but once again it was just told as an aside to something else. I never felt as if I truly got to know Jackie.
Jackie's lack of growth as a friend and wife was rampant throughout 90 percent of the novel. We do finally have her showing some growth towards the end but not in a way that I thought was healthy. I really wish that all of the friends had verbally smacked her around since she reminds me of way too many ex-friends of mine who were constant drama queens. Being around that kind of person all of the time is draining.
Finally, as I said Jackie's marriage to Andrew was just not written to show why in the world either one of them were with the other besides money for Jackie to spend and Andrew being married to a hot younger woman.
It seems as if there is going to be one more story in the "When Girlfriends" series and I hope that one ends on a good note. Also it would be really great if Savannah Page actually has some surprises up her sleeve instead of moving two characters I really don't think belong together towards each other.
I would recommend to fans of the series who want to catch up with all of the girls.
Love... Under Different Skies by Nick Spalding
5.0
Ahh Nick Spalding. I have loved every novel he has written starring Jaime and Laura Newman. Seriously if you want to laugh so hard you have milk/soda/tea spilling out of your nose start reading the first two books in the series, "Love From Both Sides" and "Love and Sleepless Nights". You get to see how Jaime and Laura first met and became man and wife and then follow them through the birth of their first child Poppy.
With "Love Under Different Skies" you have Jaime and Laura coming to an impasse in their marriage. Once again told from Jaime and Laura's points of view we follow a year of Jaime and Laura uprooting themselves from the UK to move to Australia with a new chocolate company that has hired Laura.
What I really loved about this novel is that you get to see gender roles flipped with Laura being the sole breadwinner and Jaime being the househusband. I thought Mr. Spalding was very realistic about how much resentment that would breed in a marriage from both sides.
We also get some lovely anecdotes about Australia, the people, the food, the weather. I seriously want to go there though it sounds like everything in the world there will kill you.
If Mr. Spalding continues with this series I hope he continues with the story told from both Jaime and Laura's point of view though it would be nice to get Poppy's thoughts when she is a pre-teen or teenager about her crazy parents.
I definitely recommend!
With "Love Under Different Skies" you have Jaime and Laura coming to an impasse in their marriage. Once again told from Jaime and Laura's points of view we follow a year of Jaime and Laura uprooting themselves from the UK to move to Australia with a new chocolate company that has hired Laura.
What I really loved about this novel is that you get to see gender roles flipped with Laura being the sole breadwinner and Jaime being the househusband. I thought Mr. Spalding was very realistic about how much resentment that would breed in a marriage from both sides.
We also get some lovely anecdotes about Australia, the people, the food, the weather. I seriously want to go there though it sounds like everything in the world there will kill you.
If Mr. Spalding continues with this series I hope he continues with the story told from both Jaime and Laura's point of view though it would be nice to get Poppy's thoughts when she is a pre-teen or teenager about her crazy parents.
I definitely recommend!
Out to Lunch by Stacey Ballis
5.0
I have read previous Stacey Ballis novels and though I may have liked or almost loved some of them I have never out and out loved one before. This novel touched so many things with me that I read it all over again when I finished it.
This novel focuses on Jenna who is still adjusting to losing her best friend and business partner Aimee. Aimee was Jenna's rock and without her around to tell her what to do she feels herself floundering. However, it seems that Aimee has one last to do for Jenna which is to manage the finances for her friend's widowed husband Wayne. Jenna is prepared to do anything but that since she never understood what Aimee saw in Wayne. With Jenna also starting a new relationship with someone that she keeps thinking is out of her league.
What I really liked about this novel is that you have Jenna struggling to come to grips with the loss of her best friend and trying to do her best to not let Wayne see how much she dislikes him. There were several laugh out loud moments for me. The best things were when Jenna would have the "Aimee voice" telling her the truth no hold barred. I know that when I lost my mother for several years afterwards I would automatically start thinking about what would she say if she could see me doing this or would she be ready to kick me in the butt for going out with another loser.
I have no criticisms of this novel except a very minor one which is that I wish that we had Jenna being more gracious with her parents. I never got why Jenna was so bent out of shape with her mother and father actually wanting to know what was going on with her or trying to check in to see how she was dealing with the loss of Aimee. I really wish we as readers had gotten more backstory there or at least Jenna's acknowledgement she was being irrational in some way.
There was also a new surprise of us seeing a couple from her previous novel, "Off the Menu" make an appearance which I loved.
I would definitely recommend this novel!
This novel focuses on Jenna who is still adjusting to losing her best friend and business partner Aimee. Aimee was Jenna's rock and without her around to tell her what to do she feels herself floundering. However, it seems that Aimee has one last to do for Jenna which is to manage the finances for her friend's widowed husband Wayne. Jenna is prepared to do anything but that since she never understood what Aimee saw in Wayne. With Jenna also starting a new relationship with someone that she keeps thinking is out of her league.
What I really liked about this novel is that you have Jenna struggling to come to grips with the loss of her best friend and trying to do her best to not let Wayne see how much she dislikes him. There were several laugh out loud moments for me. The best things were when Jenna would have the "Aimee voice" telling her the truth no hold barred. I know that when I lost my mother for several years afterwards I would automatically start thinking about what would she say if she could see me doing this or would she be ready to kick me in the butt for going out with another loser.
I have no criticisms of this novel except a very minor one which is that I wish that we had Jenna being more gracious with her parents. I never got why Jenna was so bent out of shape with her mother and father actually wanting to know what was going on with her or trying to check in to see how she was dealing with the loss of Aimee. I really wish we as readers had gotten more backstory there or at least Jenna's acknowledgement she was being irrational in some way.
There was also a new surprise of us seeing a couple from her previous novel, "Off the Menu" make an appearance which I loved.
I would definitely recommend this novel!
Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb
2.0
I have been reading JD Robb novels for more than a decade now. I fell in love with the characters from the first "In Death" novel and even though at times my love for the novels has waned a bit here and there I all in all thought these were always still a really good read. Until I came to "Concealed in Death".
The major issues with this novel is continutiy errors about a major part of Eve and Roarke's initial meet; a whole new backstory to Mavis which should have been alluded to in prior novels instead of dumped in this one, very few interactions with other characters that we have grown to love, same old same old with others, and Eve got on my nerves in this one (a lot).
As other reviewers have already said there was a major slipup regarding a button that Roarke always keeps on hand with him since it fell off the gray jacket she was wearing at a funeral when she met Roarke for the first time. I was a little surprised to see that error but figured hey mistakes happen.
Then we turn to Mavis. I really wish that Nora Robers had set up the revelations that readers will find out about Mavis. I am really annoyed it was kind of thrown at readers and as an aside that Dallas already knew this about her but she never told Roarke. I think it would have made for some interesting insight into Mavis all of these years instead of it being used to help Eve solve a case.
I was also annoyed at the lack of interaction between Eve, Baxter, Trueheart, Fenney, McNabb, etc. Instead we get a new character introduced to us who does seem interesting but all we get is Eve and her nasty (insert swear word) match with the person which caused me to start to dislike Eve... a lot. There was no need for the antagonism and I can already see in the next book that Eve will probably have to interact with this person a lot but knowing JD Robb this person will be a serial killer or something to justify Eve's immaturity. What about Louise and Charles? Where the heck was Feeney since he should have been called into help with a high profile murder like this with so many victims.
About the same old same old we have Nadine and Eve sparring (as usual) with Eve giving Nadine information like always. I don't need those scenes anymore. And now (mild spoilers follow) we have the promise of another movie being made about Eve which I don't look forward to at all (end of mild spoilers). I really didn't care for "Celebrity in Death" or any of the characters we met and the murder was just eh to me so I don't really want to go back into that world again. I hope if something materalizes it is off screen so to speak. We have Eve interacting with Dr. Mira and acting closed off then opening up. We have Eve being nasty to Summerset, etc., etc.
Speaking of Eve, I can honestly say there have been times where I disagreed with her or Roarke but always thought that deep down inside she didn't let petty nasty things get to her and seemed to always be about the law. This one she practically reverted to a teenager when not investigating the murders with regards to the new character. There were several other times when I was sick of her too. When we first find out about Mavis's past and the readers and even Eve can see that Mavis is shaken, Eve still tries to get down to just the facts man with Mavis. Roarke had to step in and stop her. Seriously. This is Eve's best friends, someone she loves like a sister and she is too far up her own butt with regards to her investigation to even think about Mavis right in that moment. I am sick of Eve doing this. Her job is important but it does not get to always be number one with others. I really wish some friends' of hers like Louise and Charles (remember them?), Mavis and Leonardo, someone just calls her out on it. It is not a sacrifice to hang out with your family and friends.
So to wrap it up I am annoyed I spent the money I did on this newest "In Death" when this was just a bad filler novel to me. If JD Robb wants to get back on track she actually needs to some growth with Eve. I was surprised in the last novel that Eve decided to go a different way in her career. What could have gave the "In Death" novels a nice shot in the arm would have been Eve having something new going on in her life instead of her just solving murders every other month (In Death timeline). Another reviewer made mention that it's time for Eve and Roarke to have a child so this series can end. If the next novel is as bad as this one than yes I will be happy to see this series end.
I would not recommend this novel.
The major issues with this novel is continutiy errors about a major part of Eve and Roarke's initial meet; a whole new backstory to Mavis which should have been alluded to in prior novels instead of dumped in this one, very few interactions with other characters that we have grown to love, same old same old with others, and Eve got on my nerves in this one (a lot).
As other reviewers have already said there was a major slipup regarding a button that Roarke always keeps on hand with him since it fell off the gray jacket she was wearing at a funeral when she met Roarke for the first time. I was a little surprised to see that error but figured hey mistakes happen.
Then we turn to Mavis. I really wish that Nora Robers had set up the revelations that readers will find out about Mavis. I am really annoyed it was kind of thrown at readers and as an aside that Dallas already knew this about her but she never told Roarke. I think it would have made for some interesting insight into Mavis all of these years instead of it being used to help Eve solve a case.
I was also annoyed at the lack of interaction between Eve, Baxter, Trueheart, Fenney, McNabb, etc. Instead we get a new character introduced to us who does seem interesting but all we get is Eve and her nasty (insert swear word) match with the person which caused me to start to dislike Eve... a lot. There was no need for the antagonism and I can already see in the next book that Eve will probably have to interact with this person a lot but knowing JD Robb this person will be a serial killer or something to justify Eve's immaturity. What about Louise and Charles? Where the heck was Feeney since he should have been called into help with a high profile murder like this with so many victims.
About the same old same old we have Nadine and Eve sparring (as usual) with Eve giving Nadine information like always. I don't need those scenes anymore. And now (mild spoilers follow) we have the promise of another movie being made about Eve which I don't look forward to at all (end of mild spoilers). I really didn't care for "Celebrity in Death" or any of the characters we met and the murder was just eh to me so I don't really want to go back into that world again. I hope if something materalizes it is off screen so to speak. We have Eve interacting with Dr. Mira and acting closed off then opening up. We have Eve being nasty to Summerset, etc., etc.
Speaking of Eve, I can honestly say there have been times where I disagreed with her or Roarke but always thought that deep down inside she didn't let petty nasty things get to her and seemed to always be about the law. This one she practically reverted to a teenager when not investigating the murders with regards to the new character. There were several other times when I was sick of her too. When we first find out about Mavis's past and the readers and even Eve can see that Mavis is shaken, Eve still tries to get down to just the facts man with Mavis. Roarke had to step in and stop her. Seriously. This is Eve's best friends, someone she loves like a sister and she is too far up her own butt with regards to her investigation to even think about Mavis right in that moment. I am sick of Eve doing this. Her job is important but it does not get to always be number one with others. I really wish some friends' of hers like Louise and Charles (remember them?), Mavis and Leonardo, someone just calls her out on it. It is not a sacrifice to hang out with your family and friends.
So to wrap it up I am annoyed I spent the money I did on this newest "In Death" when this was just a bad filler novel to me. If JD Robb wants to get back on track she actually needs to some growth with Eve. I was surprised in the last novel that Eve decided to go a different way in her career. What could have gave the "In Death" novels a nice shot in the arm would have been Eve having something new going on in her life instead of her just solving murders every other month (In Death timeline). Another reviewer made mention that it's time for Eve and Roarke to have a child so this series can end. If the next novel is as bad as this one than yes I will be happy to see this series end.
I would not recommend this novel.
What Nora Knew by Linda Yellin
5.0
This is the first novel I have read by Linda Yellin and after finishing it quickly snatched up The Last Blind Date. Yellin has a way with words and I quickly find myself identifying and loving the character of Molly Hallberg.
Molly is 39 years old with one divorce under her belt and is in a relationship with a bland (but nice) guy. Writing about all of the crazy things she has done in New York she is thrown for a loop when her latest writing assignment is to write about romance in the style of Nora Ephron. Molly goes about it in a haphazard way and meets an up and coming writer and despite his attentions is sure that he is just a sham and really doesn't believe in love conquers all.
I have to say that Molly's voice in this novel is outstanding. She is definitely someone I want to hang out with. Her inability to see that she is Meg Ryan and her boyfriend is Bill Pullman (Paxton, whomever) and that she herself needs that great big love to wake her life up is great. We get to see her slowly starting to see what Nora Ephron's movies mean to women and to herself.
This book caused me to also go and re-watch Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, and When Harry Met Sally all over again.
There is honestly nothing I can critique in this novel and would definitely recommend it!
Molly is 39 years old with one divorce under her belt and is in a relationship with a bland (but nice) guy. Writing about all of the crazy things she has done in New York she is thrown for a loop when her latest writing assignment is to write about romance in the style of Nora Ephron. Molly goes about it in a haphazard way and meets an up and coming writer and despite his attentions is sure that he is just a sham and really doesn't believe in love conquers all.
I have to say that Molly's voice in this novel is outstanding. She is definitely someone I want to hang out with. Her inability to see that she is Meg Ryan and her boyfriend is Bill Pullman (Paxton, whomever) and that she herself needs that great big love to wake her life up is great. We get to see her slowly starting to see what Nora Ephron's movies mean to women and to herself.
This book caused me to also go and re-watch Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, and When Harry Met Sally all over again.
There is honestly nothing I can critique in this novel and would definitely recommend it!
Evening Stars by Susan Mallery
5.0
I previously read and loved Barefoot Season (Blackberry Island) and Three Sisters (Blackberry Island) which are books one and two in the Blackberry Island series. I have tried to get into the Fool's Gold series but like this one better since it seems to have more depth than that series.
With this latest installment Ms. Mallery focuses on two sisters, Nina and Averill. Nina was introduced in the prior novel, "Three Sisters" as a nurse who was about to go to work with Andi (the pediatrician).
In this novel we find Nina frustrated with her current life since her mother and her partner are constantly needing her to step in and be the adult to keep them from being taken advantage of while they run their antique shop on Blackberry Island. Averil who is younger and lives in CA feels like something is missing from her life and though she loves her husband returns home to see if she can get a handle on why she is not happy. Though both sisters love each other they tend to end up fighting constantly. With Nina having to deal with her ex boyfriend coming back to town and a younger man who used to have a crush on her years ago resurfaces at the same time she finds herself fighting to stay in control.
Overall I really loved this novel. We get some welcome appearances by Andi, Boston, and Deanna from the last book but we don't really get much time to catch up with that trio. We do get several steamy sex scenes throughout the novel. Also Nina's voice was written very strong and I had nothing but sympathy for her throughout this entire novel.
Probably the weakest link in this story is the character of Averil. I honestly felt like she still at the end did not get what her behavior and actions to date were part of the problem with her and her sister and also her husband. And I didn't care for their mother at all. Some of her behavior in this story was just unthinkable and I have no idea how either daughter even managed to put up with her through the years. Though I liked the ending I didn't think that the mother "deserved" such a happy ending.
I think to make this a stronger novel it should have just stayed focused on Nina instead of switching the third person narrative between her and Averil. Also one thing that Susan Mallery always seems to put in her novels that is starting to make me laugh (probably not the reaction she wants) is that every time the hero and heroine make love she talks about the heroine seeing into the hero's "soul" when he reaches his peak so to speak. Now I don't know everything but I do know that is not possible. It's a minor thing but every time she puts that in her novels I do crack up.
I would still recommend to long-time fans who want to catch up with the characters on Blackberry Island.
With this latest installment Ms. Mallery focuses on two sisters, Nina and Averill. Nina was introduced in the prior novel, "Three Sisters" as a nurse who was about to go to work with Andi (the pediatrician).
In this novel we find Nina frustrated with her current life since her mother and her partner are constantly needing her to step in and be the adult to keep them from being taken advantage of while they run their antique shop on Blackberry Island. Averil who is younger and lives in CA feels like something is missing from her life and though she loves her husband returns home to see if she can get a handle on why she is not happy. Though both sisters love each other they tend to end up fighting constantly. With Nina having to deal with her ex boyfriend coming back to town and a younger man who used to have a crush on her years ago resurfaces at the same time she finds herself fighting to stay in control.
Overall I really loved this novel. We get some welcome appearances by Andi, Boston, and Deanna from the last book but we don't really get much time to catch up with that trio. We do get several steamy sex scenes throughout the novel. Also Nina's voice was written very strong and I had nothing but sympathy for her throughout this entire novel.
Probably the weakest link in this story is the character of Averil. I honestly felt like she still at the end did not get what her behavior and actions to date were part of the problem with her and her sister and also her husband. And I didn't care for their mother at all. Some of her behavior in this story was just unthinkable and I have no idea how either daughter even managed to put up with her through the years. Though I liked the ending I didn't think that the mother "deserved" such a happy ending.
I think to make this a stronger novel it should have just stayed focused on Nina instead of switching the third person narrative between her and Averil. Also one thing that Susan Mallery always seems to put in her novels that is starting to make me laugh (probably not the reaction she wants) is that every time the hero and heroine make love she talks about the heroine seeing into the hero's "soul" when he reaches his peak so to speak. Now I don't know everything but I do know that is not possible. It's a minor thing but every time she puts that in her novels I do crack up.
I would still recommend to long-time fans who want to catch up with the characters on Blackberry Island.
Dead by Sunset by Ann Rule
5.0
I recall reading an anthology of true crime stories by Ann Rule a few years ago. I recall being terribly disturbed by what fellow human beings can do to one another. After being snowed in again (seriously Mother Nature...knock it off) I decided to download this Kindle edition of her book, Dead by Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer? since I recall this case being on American Justice a few years back.
Ann Rule starts with the scene of the crime in Oregon in 1986 where a passerby finds Cheryl Keeton beaten to death inside her vehicle in Oregon. Then it transitions to Doctor Sara Gordon and her new boyfriend Brad Cunningham. Readers quickly find out that Brad is the ex husband of Cheryl Keeton and is a prime suspect in her death. Then Ann Rule works backwards and explores Brad's parents, his childhood, and his previous marriages and relationships with others. It is a fascinating read. We also have Ann compare Cheryl's past and what led her to meet and marry Brad in the first place.
What always gets me about Ann Rule novels is that you just hope for things to turn out differently. You read about the victims and you they remind you of someone that you now know or used to know and you wish that they were still alive somewhere enjoying their lives.
I thought this was a very complex True Crime novel and though it dragged in bits (I really didn't care that much about Brad's parents and uncle and aunts background at all) all in all it was a good read. It really picks up when you get to the trial and the aftermath.
I would definitely recommend to other true crime readers out there!
Ann Rule starts with the scene of the crime in Oregon in 1986 where a passerby finds Cheryl Keeton beaten to death inside her vehicle in Oregon. Then it transitions to Doctor Sara Gordon and her new boyfriend Brad Cunningham. Readers quickly find out that Brad is the ex husband of Cheryl Keeton and is a prime suspect in her death. Then Ann Rule works backwards and explores Brad's parents, his childhood, and his previous marriages and relationships with others. It is a fascinating read. We also have Ann compare Cheryl's past and what led her to meet and marry Brad in the first place.
What always gets me about Ann Rule novels is that you just hope for things to turn out differently. You read about the victims and you they remind you of someone that you now know or used to know and you wish that they were still alive somewhere enjoying their lives.
I thought this was a very complex True Crime novel and though it dragged in bits (I really didn't care that much about Brad's parents and uncle and aunts background at all) all in all it was a good read. It really picks up when you get to the trial and the aftermath.
I would definitely recommend to other true crime readers out there!
A Different Kind of Forever by Dee Ernst
5.0
ow many women have a fantasy about a hot younger rich man who finds you unbelievable attractive coming into your lives? If you do, this book, "A Different Kind of Forever" is for you.
I read Dee Ernt's other books, "A Slight Change of Plan" and "Better Off Without Him" and promptly got this one as well.
The story is about a divorcee, Diane Matthews, a college professor raising her three daughters. Still good friends with her ex but realizing that their marriage lacked passion she walked away years earlier. Though she is happy with her life, she feels like something is missing. What follows is an unusual meet cute with Michael Carlucci who is a member of the successful rock band, Ninety Seven. Diane feels herself pulled to Michael and feels uncomfortable with their almost 20 year age difference. Michael should be thinking about a hot young wife and having babies, instead he just wants Diane.
I really did love all parts of this novel. I sympathized with Diane and her attraction to Michael and her reluctance to fall in love with him. The two characters really do make sense together and I like that even though the sex scenes were very hot (very hot) you could also see that they really did work. I liked the entire plotting of the novel and Diane's concerns about her kids and her professional life. Michael really came alive to me too and I was surprised that Ms. Ernst was able to write him that well. Prior to this her other novels I have read were always from the point of view of the female character. I also like that Ms. Ernst has both of her characters addressing the age difference and you have Diane having pangs of inferiority and jealously while dating Michael. It made it more realistic instead of everything just working out perfectly for them both.
I would definitely recommend!
I read Dee Ernt's other books, "A Slight Change of Plan" and "Better Off Without Him" and promptly got this one as well.
The story is about a divorcee, Diane Matthews, a college professor raising her three daughters. Still good friends with her ex but realizing that their marriage lacked passion she walked away years earlier. Though she is happy with her life, she feels like something is missing. What follows is an unusual meet cute with Michael Carlucci who is a member of the successful rock band, Ninety Seven. Diane feels herself pulled to Michael and feels uncomfortable with their almost 20 year age difference. Michael should be thinking about a hot young wife and having babies, instead he just wants Diane.
I really did love all parts of this novel. I sympathized with Diane and her attraction to Michael and her reluctance to fall in love with him. The two characters really do make sense together and I like that even though the sex scenes were very hot (very hot) you could also see that they really did work. I liked the entire plotting of the novel and Diane's concerns about her kids and her professional life. Michael really came alive to me too and I was surprised that Ms. Ernst was able to write him that well. Prior to this her other novels I have read were always from the point of view of the female character. I also like that Ms. Ernst has both of her characters addressing the age difference and you have Diane having pangs of inferiority and jealously while dating Michael. It made it more realistic instead of everything just working out perfectly for them both.
I would definitely recommend!