BOOK REVIEW: Fast Track by Julie Garwood

Fast Track (Buchanan-Renard #12)

by Julie Garwood

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Published July 29th 2014 by Dutton Adult (first published July 23rd 2014)

Goodreads synopsis: Cordelia Kane has always been a daddy’s girl—her father raised her alone after her mother died in a car crash when Cordelia was just two years old. So when he has a serious heart attack, Cordelia is devastated, and the emotion is only intensified by the confusion she feels when he reveals the shocking truth about her mother.

I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed in this book... the beginning anyway. The first fourth of the book seemed rushed and almost, dare I say, unprofessional for someone of Julie Garwood's caliber. Where was the suspense and the getting to know each other again phase? Seems like this was all but forgotten about. I understand that this is an unproofed ARC copy and maybe there was still some structural editing to do. But when I get past that part, the rest of the book was done well.

I enjoyed both characters and the backstory, especially the family behind Aiden Madison. That part really was what kept me reading after my initial disappointment. I mean, I was really thinking this book wasn't even written by Julie Garwood for awhile. But when I finished the read, I was happy I had stayed with it. Interesting tale of Cordelia and Aiden.

I received this as an unproofed 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 read this.

3.5 Stars

BOOK REVIEW: Wayward (Wayward Pines Trilogy #2) by Blake Crouch

Wayward (Wayward Pines #2)

by Blake Crouch

Kindle Edition, 307 pages

Published September 17th 2013 by Thomas & Mercer

Goodreads synopsis: Welcome to Wayward Pines, population 461. Nestled amidst picture-perfect mountains, the idyllic town is a modern-day Eden...except for the electrified fence and razor wire, snipers scoping everything 24/7, and the relentless surveillance tracking each word and gesture. Ethan Burke has seen the world beyond. He’s sheriff, and one of the few who knows the truth—Wayward Pines isn’t just a town. And what lies on the other side of the fence is a nightmare beyond anyone’s imagining.

I started this book wondering where the story would go from the end of PINES. And now that I'm at the end of WAYWARD, I wonder where it could go from here.

This is just an outstanding book. I truly enjoyed reading it. It was a definite page-turner. The text flows well. The characters are easy to distinguish from one another and the concept is just so out of this world that you can't help but think something like this could happen some day.

I like how the author still manages to keep some big reveals to himself. The last few pages of the book.... don't skip them. A must read thriller. 

5 Stars!

BOOK REVIEW: Pines (Wayward Pines Trilogy #1) by Blake Crouch

Pines (Wayward Pines #1)

by Blake Crouch

Kindle Edition, 309 pages

Published August 21st 2012 by Thomas & Mercer (first published June 18th 2012)

Goodreads synopsis: Secret service agent Ethan Burke arrives in Wayward Pines, Idaho, with a clear mission: locate and recover two federal agents who went missing in the bucolic town one month earlier. But within minutes of his arrival, Ethan is involved in a violent accident. He comes to in a hospital, with no ID, no cell phone, and no briefcase. The medical staff seems friendly enough, but something feelsoff. As the days pass, Ethans investigation into the disappearance of his colleagues turns up more questions than answers. Each step closer to the truth takes Ethan further from the world he thought he knew, from the man he thought he was, until he must face a horrifying facthe may never get out of Wayward Pines alive.

I spent most of the book trying to figure out what in the heck was going on. I was brought back to an old movie about a town called Stepford and each step Ethan made in town, the closer to some cruel end he seemed to get. This book was definitely creepy and unputdownable. I don't know if I would call it horror, but it was more mentally scary than physically scary. 

The book was easy to read. The text flowed well. We got the addition of Theresa's point of view (Ethan's wife) in Chapter Four. I actually read a few pages and thought, wait a minute, who is this. Gotta go back and re-read. I did have a few questions. After the reveal of the BIG SECRET to Ethan, I wondered how they came into possession of both a helicopter and Jeep? I also wondered how them not talking to each other about current events, pop culture and music really helped their aim in the end. But those are just niggles, really.

I found this book quite interesting and captivating. It is definitely something I want to delve deeper into because now I am left with the question: where do they go from here?

5 Stars

BOOK REVIEW: Mom Con by K. Morris

Mom Con

by K. Morris

Paperback, First, 292 pages

Published December 11th 2012 by Axe Publishing (first published December 2nd 2012)

Goodreads synopsis: Meet Anita Henry, a hard-working, single mom trying to launch her own business after losing her job. The only problem is a nasty lawsuit charging her with stealing secrets from her ex-employer. Corporate espionage? Please. Her single greatest offense was a high school fashion felony. But when a shady court ruling forces Anita to cease and desist, she’s determined to set things right. Her plan involves launching the hippest night spot in town, but can she work her scheme while juggling her brother the musician, who likes her couch just a little too much; his manager, who’s prone to some sketchy accounting practices; an ex-husband who can’t seem to remember those child support payments; and an old flame who wouldn't mind heating things up again?

I had never heard of this book before but its premise intrigued me. And as I kept reading, Anita's fascination with performing a sting on her idea stealing boss seemed right up my alley. I only wish I had such skills in my verbal repertoire.

I was biting my nails as Anita and her co-worker cohorts set up everything. I think this is the beginning of a series and I am curious to see who Anita picks for a love relationship, Corey or Drake. Both seem equally yummy.

This was easy to read. The text flowed well and the twists and turns kept me following along. I did wish for a bigger climax and I wished for more resolution with her brother, James and his music. But all in all, it was a great read. I gave it 4 stars, and deservedly so.

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

BOOK REVIEW: Housewife Assassin's Deadly Dossier by Josie Brown

The Housewife Assassin's Deadly Dossier: Prequel - The Housewife Assassin Series

by Josie Brown (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 231 pages

Published June 17th 2014 by Signal Press

Goodreads synopsis: Finally—Donna Stone, as you've never seen her before: through the eyes of those who affected her life the most.  In this full-length prequel to The Housewife Assassin series, Acme Industries black-ops agent Jack Craig is tasked with investigating the mysterious death of his organization’s most prolific hit man, Carl Stone, only to fall in love with the dead man’s wife, Donna—a woman he must never contact, but who may hold the key to her husband's disappearance. When Acme approaches Donna to join their organization as an assassin, Jack’s undercover mission will change both their lives forever.

This is definitely my genre! I am hooked on reading and writing about spies. (You could probably tell that from my Twitter name: tonispywriter.) This is what makes reading for Net Galley a real pleasure: You get introduced to books you might never come across.

It took me a hot minute to figure out who was the star of the narration since so much happened at the beginning of the book. At first I thought it might be Donna's husband, Carl, but quickly came to realize it was Jack Craig. He is an interesting fellow. And in one part when Carl was acting very un-Carl-like, I thought he was Jack. (Come to find out that little tidbit about Jack and Carl became a bit of a spoiler for me later on. You will just have to read it to know what i mean.)

I enjoyed following Jack as he practically fell in love with the image Donna portrayed to her other suburbanites. Underneath it all, Donna was a bit of a rebel. I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot but it sure kept my interest the entire time. I have already bought book one and book two. (This is the prequel to the Housewife Assassin series.) You should pick up book one for sure. It's FREE!

One little note about reading this sucker. Pay attention to everything. You might need to remember it for later. I read this on my Kindle but wished I had it in paperback just so I could go back and check my memory on certain facts.

This is definitely a great one for sure. Check it out if you like the spy genre that is filled with fun antics. 5 Stars!

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

BOOK REVIEW: Fit to be Dead by Nancy G. West

Fit to be Dead (Aggie Mundeen Mystery #1)

by Nancy G. West (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Published March 15th 2012 by Southwest Publications (recently re-released with new cover)

Goodreads synopsis: In this first Aggie Mundeen mystery caper, Aggie, pushing forty and obsessed with becoming decrepit, writes the column, “Adventures in Staying Young.” When she moves to San Antonio, Texas, she has to shape up before anybody discovers she’s the author. She takes Aspects of Aging at University of the Holy Trinity and dives into exercise at the health club. Rusty at flirting and mechanically inept, she irritates a slew of male exercisers, then stumbles into murder.

I do understand that this being the first in a series that there is a lot of info dropping that needs to be done and character-getting-to-know, but I found this mystery just okay. First off there was way too much of Aggie reading up for her class, the one she hardly ever attends. Plus, we don't get enough of Sam's perspective in order for us to come to the same conclusion as the characters do when solving the mystery. I know that is a niggle, but I like following the mystery. I like knowing where I was fooled by the author. To me, the following of the mystery is half the fun of reading a mystery.

There was a bit of a confusion for me in one part. Aggie is doggedly going after solving the mystery of who put the radio in the swimming pool and nearly hurting her friend. But when same friend is later killed, she tries to talk herself out of the search for the killer. So, why be so gung-ho in one instance and so standoffish in the other? That part I didn't get but once she got going the mystery was interesting. 

The book that I read before this was so outstanding in not only the flow of the text but the vastness of the story that I think it made this book seem dim in comparison.  In light of that I gave this book 3.75 Stars. It could have been better. Better flow in the text, better use of Sam the detective, better overall-ness in the plot. But it was a good, decent read.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW: I'll Find You by Nancy Bush

I'll Find You

by Nancy Bush

Paperback, 416 pages

Published June 24th 2014 by Zebra (first published January 1st 2014)

Goodreads synopsis: Callie Cantrell has only fragmented memories of the car accident that killed her husband and son. One year later, she's still trying to start over, yet she can't shake her unease. Especially when former LA cop West Laughlin barges into her life, searching for his young nephew. (There is a lot more to the plot but I don't want to spoil you too much. I mean, where is the fun in that?) :)

This book started off a bit slow but after about the 20% mark it started to pick up. There were a lot of viewpoints to consider during this book. So it took me a hot minute to figure out who the stars of the show, so to speak, were. Callie looks like Teresa and this is a crucial tid bit to remember when reading this book. This is very well plotted and no one is left out. Every minor character is important in some way. And that is hard to do in most mystery series. I enjoyed the play between West and Callie. I wondered about the sanity of Andre "The Messiah" and his "handmaidens". Who would knowingly sign up for such a gig? I mean... really?

The plot kept me interested throughout and just when you thought it was about over, someone else dies and throws you off balance.

Definitely loved it. I gave it 4.75 stars only taking off a bit for the slowness of the beginning. Definitely check this one out if you like mystery!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley in return for an honest review.