BOOK REVIEW: Crime Wave (Maggie P.I. Mystery #1) by Rose Pressey

Crime Wave (Maggie, P.I. Mystery #1)

by Rose Pressey (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 269 pages

Published July 23rd 2013 by Magical Press

Goodreads synopsis: Maggie Thomas doesn't know the first thing about being a private eye. She quickly discovers that running her uncle's faltering Miami Beach P.I. agency is nothing like watching detective show reruns. Even the private eye app on her iPhone can't help. But Maggie's first case is surprisingly easy... or so she thinks until she stumbles upon a dead body. With whizzing bullets, car chases, and spandex-clad bodybuilders, Maggie wonders if she's in over her head. Jake Jackson, the dangerously charming cop, thinks Maggie needs to stick to snapping pictures of cheating husbands and leave the detective work to the professionals.

I was happy to finally get to this book. I bought it right after it came out. In fact, there has been a cover change since I first bought it. I like the cover I have displayed here (more colorful) than the muted tones of the new cover. 

This is another one of those guilty pleasure reads. When I want to read something I know I'm going to like, I know Rose Pressey will deliver. The last book I read was too intense and heavy and this was exactly what I needed to get myself out of the emotional slump from the previous book. The grandmotherly Dorothy is just a hoot and a half. I love her. Reminds me a bit of of Grandmother Masur (not sure if that is spelled right) from the Stephanie Plumb mysteries. So good. 

I didn't understand Jake Jackson and his motivation to keep pursuing Maggie. I mean, Maggie was not nice to him over and over again but he kept at her. I wish all men were that determined to get to know someone. Because I don't think anyone else would have kept at it.

I enjoyed the mystery. I enjoyed the slapstick parts with Dorothy and Maggie. It was all good to me. I already bought book 2 in the series: Murder is a Beach. I gave this mystery 4.5 Stars. This book seriously kept me from going into a reading slump from the previous book I read. Thank you, Rose!

BOOK REVIEW: Obsessed by T. R. Ragan

Obsessed (Lizzy Gardner #4)

by T.R. Ragan

Kindle Edition, 370 pages

Expected publication: August 12th 2014 by Thomas & Mercer

Goodreads synopsis: Desperate for better ratings, radio psychologist Madeline Blair tells her listeners she’s being stalked, unaware that her long-time listener and biggest fan, Seth Brown, will do anything to protect her. When her publicity stunt is revealed, Seth becomes enraged by her deceit and dangerously unhinged. When her friends mysteriously begin to vanish and damning evidence points to Madeline, she turns to private investigator Lizzy Gardner for help. Lizzy knows her way around a murderer’s mind, after surviving her own horrifying ordeal at the hands of a serial killer years ago

I thought this book was interesting. There were quite a few characters that I enjoyed like Kailey (not sure if I'm spelling that right). I thought Madeline, the radio show host could have been redeemed but it was for naught, I guess. I wasn't particularly captivated by Lizzie. In fact, I kept getting her and Haley confused. There were quite  few times I thought I was following Lizzie and it was Haley. I have not read the previous three books in the series and I am not sure if reading those would make a difference in my experience or not, but it may.

The mystery was interesting. The bad guy/psycho just kept getting creepier as time went on. And mostly the story was good. I gave this book 3.5 stars because of the confusion about characters and the fact that  Lizzie, the PI, doesn't even meet Madeline until nearly half way through the book. There was a lot of unnecessary backstory about minor characters included. I would definitely like to see a spinoff series about Kailey in the future.

I was surprised by the ending which was a quite surprising cliffhanger. Even what happened to Madeline at the end was a surprise. So all that was good. I guess this book could use a bit of tweaking and it would be great.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank Net Galley, the publisher and author for allowing me to read this book.

BOOK REVIEW: Beach Bags and Burglaries by Dorothy Howell

Beach Bags and Burglaries (Haley Randolph #8)

by Dorothy Howell

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published July 29th 2014 by Kensington (first published January 1st 2014)

Goodreads synopsis: Part-time sleuth and full-time fashionista Haley Randolph just won an all-expenses-paid vacay at the Rowan Resort, a ridiculously exclusive island getaway that caters to the whims of millionaires, royalty, and Hollywood A-listers. With her three BFF's--Marcie, Bella, and Sandy--along for the ride, the only thing she's missing is the Sea Vixen, the season's hottest beach bag. . .The island has everything Haley imagined: pristine beaches, posh accommodations, and possibly Brad Pitt. But trouble soon looms on the horizon when Jaslyn Gordon, a maid at the island resort, goes missing. And while practically looting the resort for a Sea Vixen beach bag, Haley of course finds the maid--on the beach. . .and clearly dead.

I was disappointed with this novel. The author did not re-introduce us to the characters in the beginning. And the pacing of the story felt like she shot a starting pistol and said GO!  I felt like I was running through the first part of the book without a breather. I would have liked to have seen more parts were characters were re-introduced. Not everyone who picks up this book will have read the last book, if any of the previous books. I know I am bad about reading books out of order. And I can't believe I'm the only one.

I know this whole series seems to be about Haley's obsession with handbags, but it just seemed a petty indulgence to me not something she just couldn't control about herself.

I felt like there were way too many old flames, detectives, FBI agents, reporters and secret agents for my liking. I mean, can you say overkill? Especially in light of the fact the beginning of the book said his vacation was a no man holiday.

The vacation package that Haley suspiciously won from the department store where she worked seemed a bit over the top, and then that vacation package gets upgraded? Please. I would have liked to seen a bit more realism in this story. It was all a bit melodramatic. I know cozy mysteries are supposed to be mystery on the lighter side but this was just too much over the top for me.

I gave this book 3 stars merely for the fact that there were a few redeemable characters that appealed to me. This book just wasn't my cup of tea, so to speak. And I am a big fan of cozy mysteries.

I received this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to review this title.

BOOK REVIEW: The Last Town by Blake Crouch

The Last Town (Wayward Pines #3)

by Blake Crouch

Kindle Edition, 285 pages

Published July 15th 2014 by Thomas & Mercer

Goodreads synopsis: Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrived in Wayward Pines, Idaho, three weeks ago. In this town, people are told who to marry, where to live, where to work. Their children are taught that David Pilcher, the town's creator, is god. No one is allowed to leave; even asking questions can get you killed.

This is book three in the Wayward Pines trilogy. I think it was a good read but not as good as book one and two. They were fast-paced and thrilling. This book was basically the meat of the series. After they know why they are in Wayward Pines and how they got there and what is outside the gate... what is next for them? How do they survive? 

This book, like the others, was well written and kept my interest the entire time. I can see why FOX wants to make it into a series. It's very intriguing. I enjoyed following Ethan, was baffled at the point of view of the main scientist David Pilcher, the man who thought he was God.

The ending, epilogue: was the shortest one ever. And it was quite interesting the way he decided to put an end to the story. Took me by surprise but was quite fitting. 

This is one of those books that really appeals to everyone. Read it and see.

4.5 Stars.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank the publisher, author and Net Galley for allowing me to read this title.

BOOK REVIEW: The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

The Worst Witch (Worst Witch #1)

by Jill Murphy

Paperback, 107 pages

Published November 25th 2004 by Puffin Bks (first published 1974)

Goodreads synop0sis: Mildred Hubble is a trainee witch at Miss Cackle's Academy, and she's making an awful mess of it. She's always getting her spells wrong and she can't even ride a broomstick without crashing it. Will she ever make a real witch?

This book was pretty short and it took me only an hour to read. I believe it is a middle grade or lower than that novel. It was a cute book where a gal who is just not very good at being a witch and then does something that makes her friends and teachers look up to her. Not much plot in this one but it was a fun read.

4 stars.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank the publisher, author and Net Galley for allowing me to read this title.

BOOK REVIEW: The London Deception by Addison Fox

The London Deception (The House of Steele #2)

by Addison Fox (Goodreads Author)

ebook, 288 pages

Published October 1st 2013 by Harlequin Romantic Suspense 

Goodreads synopsis: The House of Steele works for the good guys--but sometimes it's hard to tell heroes from villains... The beautiful former thief had never met a lock she couldn't pick. Although Rowan Steele is now legit, she handles some of the family's most dangerous assignments. When she agrees to safeguard an ancient treasure, her heart--as well as her life--may be the price.

I enjoyed how Finn Gallagher and Rowan Steele met. It was unique and unusual. And it makes this book stand out. This is the second book in the House of Steele series which encompasses the same set of people/family. I believe there are two more books in this series too The Rome Affair and Manhattan  Encounter. The last book The Paris Experiment followed Rowan's brother, Campbell. This whole series is just a family affair.

Finn convinces the House of Steele siblings to send Rowan to London in order to have him and her travel to Egypt to authenticate some artifacts from a tomb. But Finn has other motives for getting her over there, personal reasons. I enjoyed following along as Rowen remembered her wayward days as a thief and how that past is what brought her to this current circumstance.

The story was easy to follow but the bad guy, although, revealed in a flashback earlier in the story wasn't really in the life of Rowan at the present and I thought that wasn't a really fair way to introduce the bad guy since we don't get to see how someone acts just how Rowan saw that person from the past and her recollection of them. (I'm  not telling you who the bad guy is.) :)

I already have the next two books in the series and I will definitely be checking them out. 

4 Stars

BOOK REVIEW: Bound to Danger by Katie Reus

Bound to Danger (Deadly Ops #2)

by Katie Reus (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication: August 5th 2014 by Signet

Goodreads synopsis: At a benefit dinner, community activist Maria Cervantes overhears two men plotting a terrorist attack that could rock Miami to its core. But before she can alert authorities, she’s almost killed in a massive explosion—and wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened. As the sole survivor of the attack, she is now a person of interest to the NSA—and especially to Agent Cade O’Reilly. Because Maria is the one woman Cade has never been able to forget.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fast-paced, fun, with a little bit of an unconventional hero, but maybe it's no so unconventional anymore. I enjoyed watching Cade as he tried to deal with the fiesty Maria. Like others who have read this, I found the love scenes, hot, hot, hot and the book well-written and unputdownable. It is a fast read. I call this type of book a guilty pleasure read.

It is the second book in a series and I didn't realize that at the time. I did not need to read book one to understand what was going on in this book. I think I got a bit of a spoiler into book one in the series about Maria's brother, Reis. Not sure. Will check that out and make sure.

My only negative niggle was that I did not enjoy watching the POV of the bad guys. I almost think those parts could have been deleted and this book would have been just as good.

4 Stars. I will check out more from this author.

I received this as and ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review. I thank the publisher, author and Net Galley for allowing me to read this title.