Mini YA Book Reviews - Descendants & Perfect Cover

Descendants Junior Novel

by Disney Book Group, Disney Storybook Art Team (Illustrator)

Kindle Edition, 176 pages

Published July 14th 2015 by Disney Press

Goodreads synopsis: Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos are the offspring of some of the most terrible villains of all time. They're offered a chance to leave the Isle of the Lost, where they have been imprisoned all their lives, and go to prep school in the idyllic kingdom of Auradon with all of the 'good' kids. There, they must choose whether or not to follow in their parents' evil footsteps. Watch out Auradon--here come the Descendants!

I have not seen the movie but I always like the family-friendly stories Disney puts out. I kept wondering how they would redeem these so called Evil Teens but I found the ending to be very sweet and lovely. I only wish they would have made this story more in-depth. It would have made it even better. 

I purchased this book with my own money and have the hardback version.

Perfect Cover (The Squad #1)

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads Author)

Mass Market Paperback, 275 pages

Published February 12th 2008 by Laurel-Leaf (first published January 1st 2008)

Goodreads synopsis: Bayport High operates like any other high school--jocks at the top, outsiders at the bottom, and everyone else in between. Enter Toby Klein, a sophomore computer hacker who doesn't play well with others. She has zero school spirit, a black belt in karate, and what her guidance counselor calls an attitude problem. She's the last person you'd expect to be invited to join the varsity cheerleading squad.

    But things are different at Bayport.

    Bayport's varsity cheer squad is made up of the hottest of the hot. But this A-list is dangerous in more ways than one. The Squad is actually a cover for the most highly trained group of underage government operatives the United States has ever assembled. Athletically, they're unmatchable, though they make it all look easy on the field. Mentally, they're exceptional--but with one flash of their gorgeous smiles, you'll completely forget that. Socially, they're gifted, so they can command and manipulate any situation. And above all, they have the perfect cover, because, beyond herkies and highlights, no one expects anything from a cheerleader.

    Toby Klein might not seem like the most likely recruit, but she's never been one to turn down a challenge. If she can handle the makeover, Bayport Hight may just have found its newest cheerleader.

    Pretty, popular, armed, and extremely dangerous--meet THE SQUAD.

I kind of struggled through this title. I had purchased it in my Apple iBooks app but it is not as convenient for me as my Amazon Kindle ebooks. But besides that, I did enjoy the book. It took me a hot minute to get into it but when Toby was introduced to The Squad, things started to get hopping. I thought the relationship between her brother and her was really the best part of the series and I wished they had went more into that aspect of it. I didn't get to see too much of Toby's computer hacking skills which they really spoke a lot of but there was truly  no action in that department. But overall, I did like the book.

I purchased this book with my own money.

BOOK REVIEW: Do or Die (Reluctant Heroes #1) by Suzanne Brockmann

Do or Die (Reluctant Heroes #1)

by Suzanne Brockmann

Hardcover, 576 pages

Published February 4th 2014 by Random House (first published January 1st 2014)

Goodreads synopsis: Navy SEAL Ian Dunn went rogue in a big way when he turned his talents to a lawless life of jewel heists and con jobs. Or so the world has been led to believe. In reality, the former Special Ops warrior is still fighting for good, leading a small band of freelance covert operatives who take care of high-stakes business in highly unofficial ways. That makes Ian the hands-down choice when the U.S. government must breach a heavily guarded embassy and rescue a pair of children kidnapped by their own father, a sinister foreign national willing to turn his own kids into casualties. Shockingly, Ian passes on the mission... for reasons he will not–or cannot–reveal.

   But saying no is not an option. Especially not to Phoebe Kruger, Ian’s bespectacled, beautiful, and unexpectedly brash new attorney. Determined to see the abducted children set free, she not only gets Ian on board but insists on riding shotgun on his Mission: Impossible-style operation, whether he likes it or not.

   Though Phoebe has a valuable knack for getting out of tight spots, there’s no denying the intensely intimate feelings growing between Ian and Phoebe as the team gears up for combat. But these are feelings they both must fight to control as they face an array of cold-blooded adversaries, including a vindictive mob boss who’s got Ian at the top of his hit list and a wealthy psychopath who loves murder as much as money. As they dodge death squads and play lethal games of deception, Ian and Phoebe will do whatever it takes to save the innocent and vanquish the guilty.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me awhile to read it only because my life was so busy, but when the action started rolling there was a lot of good stuff to love.

Phoebe sort of gets thrust into this whole covert world where Ian (or Eee as he is referred to through most of the book) is taken out of prison in order to save the kids of an important scientist lady.

The secondary cast is just as great as the main cast. And I can totally see this book as the beginning of a series.  I would love to see more stories just about these characters and Ian's "team."

If you do not want to read about how to men get together and have a great life, then the sections featuring Aaron and Shel might not be to your taste. But truthfully, it is mostly an emotional bond in the text between Aaron and Shel and no hanky-panky is really seen on stage, if you know what I mean. I found those sections quite compelling and had a great emotional impact. I also like how Phoebe had the same sort of impact in Ian's life.

This is definitely one you will want to check out if you love action, intrigue, suspense and romantic suspense. 4 Stars. I look forward to the next book in the series.

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

BOOK REVIEW: Second To Nun by Alice Loweecey

Second To Nun (Giulia Driscoll #2)

by Alice Loweecey (Goodreads Author)

Kindle Edition, First

Expected publication: September 22nd 2015 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: The Other Side has hired Driscoll Investigations. The owner of Stone’s Throw Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast insists that a Tarot reading told her to hire Giulia to evict the family ghost. Since the ghost is cutting gas lines and flooding cellars, Giulia and her husband Frank head to the B&B to discover the real perpetrator. 

   The client also has a family legend: A highwayman who stole a pile of gold. Giulia has a pile of suspects, including a psychic the client hired to conduct weekly séances. So much for romance with Frank at this getaway.

   Instead, Giulia’s juggling arson, creepy clown dolls, and the psychic going all Exorcist on her. Then the ghost tries to push the client off the lighthouse and throw Giulia down three flights of stairs. It should’ve known better than to mess with an ex-nun. Giulia has connections and she’s about to use them.

My Take...

Our Nun turned PI has taken on a new case and this time she takes her Detective hubby along with her to solve the mystery of the haunted lighthouse turned bed & breakfast. Due to a tarot reading the owner received, she was prompted to hire the PI and her agency to help bring down the ghost that has been haunting her establishment. Of course, Giulia does  not believe in ghosts and so she believes this haunting is of the very much alive person variety. So she and detective hubby sign into the Lighthouse B&B as a couple just wanting a bit of a vacay.

Hubby has to take a day or two to get his current cases under wraps before he can join Giulia at the B&B so she starts out the book on her own. Which is fine with her because she is good on her own when in investigation mode.

She visits the home office a couple of times in order to find a better wifi signal but later they discover a great hot spot on the beach between a few businesses. She checks out the background of all the guests.

This is when all the good stuff starts to happen, the real haunting juicy things that try to convince Giulia that a real ghost presides there. But she is not deterred. There are many twists and turns that will keep a reader interested all the way to the end of the novel. I really appreciate when the author doesn't take the easy way out. I totally enjoyed reading this book  and would recommend it to anyone. Definitely check this one out, folks. This is book two in a series. Nun too Soon is the title of book one.

4 Stars.

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 the author for allowing me to read this title.

BOOK REVIEW: Nun Too Soon by Alice Loweecey

Nun Too Soon (Giulia Driscoll #1)

by Alice Loweecey (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, First, 270 pages

Published January 13th 2015 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: Giulia Falcone-Driscoll has just taken on her first impossible client: The Silk Tie Killer. He’s hired Driscoll Investigations to prove his innocence and they have only thirteen days to accomplish it. Talk about being tried in the media. Everyone in town is sure Roger Fitch strangled his girlfriend with one of his silk neckties. And then there’s the local TMZ wannabes—The Scoop—stalking Giulia and her client for sleazy sound bites. 

     On top of all that, her assistant’s first baby is due any second, her scary smart admin still doesn’t relate well to humans, and her police detective husband insists her client is guilty. About this marriage thing—it’s unknown territory, but it sure beats ten years of living with 150 nuns. 

     Giulia’s ownership of Driscoll Investigations hasn’t changed her passion for justice from her convent years. But the more dirt she digs up, the more she’s worried her efforts will help a murderer escape. As the client accuses DI of dragging its heels on purpose, Giulia thinks The Silk Tie Killer might be choosing one of his ties for her own neck.

Giulia used to be a nun. But now she is a PI. Makes total sense, right? At least for Giulia it does. I would love to have more of the backstory of how Guilia came to give up the convent and how she came to fall in  love with her police detective hubby. But none of that is really covered here. It is alluded to in a vague sense. And everyone seems to know about Giulia's past as a nun and all tend to kid her about it. Not sure how I feel about that aspect. I know it is all in good fun, but sometimes a little respect for someone who made that sort of vow is warranted.

But I digress. This book was really good. It was a good introduction to this series of PI novels featuring ex-nun, Giulia. Most of the appropriate highlights are covered in the Goodreads synopsis. Sydney is on the verge of birth having her own mini-Sydney, Zack is the Admin and he is a bit strange but in the entire scheme of things he didn't seem as strange as the synopsis alluded to. Jane came in to take Sydney's place while on maternity leave and she was hiding her real self. Would have loved to see more of her but she was in and out of the story. A real cool gal who had tattoos but felt like in her her line of work she had to cover them up to get a "real" job. Giulia was very cognisant of Jane's lifestyle choices and treated her with respect and dignity. And this respect made the character bloom. Hope to see more of her in book two which is called Second To Nun.

I gave this book four stars because it was a great intro to the series and it really kept you guessing. Plus, I had bought some natural muscle rub the week before and at the end of the book Sydney had recommended this rub to her boss for a bunch of bruises she acquires at the end of the book. Sydney was a really health conscious person. And when they say that this rub makes bruises go away fast, it is totally true. When you get to that part, write it down. It will be a great thing to put into your first aid kit when chasing the criminal element.

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

UPDATE!! Just discovered that there is a three book series (so far) under another publisher, Midnight Ink, and the series is called Falcone Driscoll.
The books are 1) Force of Habit  2) Back In The Habit  3) Veiled Threat

BOOK REVIEW: Death By Coffee by Alex Erickson

Death by Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #1)

by Alex Erickson (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 320 pages

Published May 26th 2015 by Kensington

Goodreads synopsis: When Krissy Hancock and her best friend Vicki decide to open a bookstore café in their new town of Pine Hills, they decide to call it "Death by Coffee," after Krissy’s father’s most famous mystery novel. Little do they know how well the name fits

   On their very first day of business, Brendon Lawyer huffily takes his coffee…to the grave. It seems he had a severe allergy to peanuts…but how could there have been nuts in his coffee? And who stole his emergency allergy medication?

   Fortunately, Krissy’s love of puzzles and mysteries leads her not only to Officer Paul Dalton, but also to many of her new neighbors, who aren’t terribly upset that the book is closed on Brendon. But one of them is a killer, and Krissy needs to read between the lies if she wants to save her new store—and live to see how this story ends…

I knew this book was going to be right up my alley. I love a good mystery and I love coffee.  A no brainer, right? Well, in this case, right-e-o! I just loved this book. I enjoyed getting to know the residents of Pine Hills through the eyes of Krissy Hancock, daughter of a best selling mystery author whose most famous work was called "Death By Coffee." And that is where Krissy and Vicky got the name for their combo bookstore and coffee shop.

Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly considering this is a murder mystery, one of Krissy's first customers a brash insurance salesman gets knocked off at the beginning of the book. And as per small town protocol, they immediately deemed it an accidental death. But Krissy was sure that it was "murder" and thus began her own investigation.

Some of the scenes between her and the townsfolk were a bit awkward since she only went to interrogate these people and didn't make any bones about wanting to know who they were sleeping with and where they were the time of the victim's demise. I thought there could have been more of a easing into conversations but Krissy just went at them all in attack mode. If I knew her in person, I probably wouldn't want to be around her too much if that was how she interacted with people.

I enjoyed the twists in the plot and the fact that the police chief was trying her hardest to get her son hooked up with Krissy. I hope to get more insight into the town's residents in the next book entitled, "Death By Tea" coming out in December 2015. I look forward to it. Definitely check this series out. It will be just your cup of tea... err... coffee.. lol.

4 Stars.

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

Contact author, Alex Erickson on Twitter @AEricksonbooks

BOOK REVIEW: Bedside Manner by Phoebe Fox

Bedside Manners (The Breakup Doctor #2)

by Phoebe Fox (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, First, 266 pages

Published March 24th 2015 by Henery Press

Goodreads synopsis: Brook Ogden has never encountered a broken heart she couldn’t patch together. Her counseling practice as the Breakup Doctor—on call to help you shape up after a breakup—is so busy she’s expanded to offer group sessions. (Turns out there are far more than fifty ways to leave your lover.) Her radio show and advice column have made her a local celebrity, and even her personal life, after some gruesome breakups of her own, is in recovery: Ben Garrett started out as a revenge date against an ex, but has turned into so much more.

    But when sizzling-hot Chip Santana, an old client she once shared a rather unprofessional midnight roll in the sand with, comes back into her life asking for her help, Brook can’t say no. Yet while she’s busy stitching up his relationship troubles, Chip reveals much more than a therapeutic interest in her. 

    In the standoff between her heart and her hormones, Brook’s cool, collected Wise Therapist persona begins to crack like thrown wedding china. She’s yelling at recalcitrant cheating husbands. Offering crazy advice to radio callers. She’s even hugging her clients.

   When the situation goes critical, Brook’s forced into a decision she isn’t ready to make—and the Breakup Doctor has to decide what kind of casualties she’s willing to accept.

In the previous book in the Breakup Doctor series, Brook Lyn Ogden had just begun a relationship with Ben Garrett. So, this book starts off with Brook Lyn focusing on her relationship with Ben. Ben suggests she take on a sort of public speaking role and thus starts a Breakup Doctor support group. It has a rocky start since no one really knows each other and not many wanted to share their relationship exploits in a group setting. Brook spends much of the book working on this endeavor. And when she's not doing her column, radio show or support group, she is trying to take care of Ben's dog, Jake, who is quite a needy canine as well as a big scene stealer. And then there is the case of Sacha and her brother getting together.

Of course, you knew Brook had to do something silly to endanger her relationship with Ben and than is when Chip Santana once again enters the picture. Can you hear the "dum, dum, dum, dum?" What dumb thing will Brooke do because of this dude? You know it's coming. Sort of like a trainwreck. Chip returns from book one. He is the 40-year-old perpetually young-acting bartender who stays up at all hours of the night and has the hots for Brook. He claims he just wants to work with Brook again by setting right old wrongs. Is she really that blind? Apparently, yes.

The moment Brook finally gets together with Ben sexually, Chip sends her a midnight text and it sort of  sends her relationship with Ben spiraling into oblivion. Then she begins to realize what she is losing... the ADHD dog, Jake, whom she's come to love, Ben, whom she is sure she loves (now after the fact) and Ben's mom, who possesses all the qualities she ever wanted in a mother.

Better get some hanky's ready for this one, folks. You're gonna need them. I did some ugly crying at then end. The book always keeps you guessing what Brook will do and who is going to win her heart in the end. The ending will keep you hoping for another book in the series. And I have it on good authority that book 3 is finished and there is a book 4 in the works. Yay!

4 Stars

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from Net Galley. I thank Net Galley, the publisher, Henery Press and the author, Phoebe Fox for allowing me to read this title.

Check out these newly released books by Zanna MacKenzie!

The author Zanna MacKenzie asked me to let you all know about the next two books in her Amber Reed mystery series. I have included all the goodies provided by Zanna. Please check them out. I reviewed book one and really enjoyed it. You should definitely take a look if you like cozy mysteries.

~ Toni

Precious

Amber Reed Mystery Book Two

Tagline - “Romantic comedy meets celebrity murder mystery”

Short blurb – A murdered pop star on a remote Scottish island – it’s all in a day’s work for Amber Reed, the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency’s newest recruit…

Book Blurb:

When celebrities need a crime solving quickly and discreetly they call in the specialists, the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency, otherwise known as the CCIA…

Who would want to murder former pop star Flynn Garrison? 

That’s exactly what Amber Reed, the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency’s newest recruit, needs to find out.

She’s desperate to get to grips with her first assignment and prove she’s up to the job but there’s a lot at stake… and it’s not only her new career that’s on the line.

Is mixing business and pleasure ever a good idea? Will her relationship with fellow CCIA agent Charlie survive the challenge of the two of them working together?

And then there’s agent extraordinaire Martha, a man-eating six foot blonde goddess, also assigned to this murder investigation, who clearly has designs on Charlie.

Trying to uncover who killed Flynn and why whisks Amber from glamorous red carpet film premiere, to learning Scottish dancing at a Highland party in a grand country house - and the distinct possibility of becoming the murderer’s next victim.

Can Amber solve the case and still keep her relationship with Charlie on track?

Find the book on Amazon http://getbook.at/Precious

Extract:

“Ah, good, you’re back.” Bethan, the woman who owns the B&B, says as we dash into the entrance hall, dripping rain all over the carpet. She’s standing behind the little reception desk and next to her is a stunningly attractive woman in jeans and a close-fitting jumper, a suitcase at her feet.  “I was just talking to Martha here about how you were both down at the beach with the murder victim.”

Strange – does she usually welcome guests by telling them about bodies washing up on the local beach?

“It hasn’t been confirmed as murder,” Charlie says, following me inside, head down as he pulls off his wet coat. “Not officially.”

The beautiful woman steps forward, ignores me and envelopes Charlie in a hug, catching him off guard. “Charlie!” she squeals excitedly.  “It’s ages since we’ve worked together. So good to see you again!”

Did she just say “work together”?

I watch as Charlie hugs her back, meeting my questioning gaze over her shoulder. 

“Martha, what are you doing here?” he asks once she’s eventually disentangled herself from him.

“The agency sent me to help you out with this case.” Martha casts a dismissive look in my direction. “They wanted their best agents working up here. So,” she shrugs her shoulders in a here-I-am way, “they sent me to work with you. I understand this is Amber’s first case and we don’t want her getting all overwhelmed on an important job like this do we?” She giggles and pushes a hand through her long honey-coloured hair.

They’ve sent Miss Beautiful CCIA Agent to work with Charlie. I’ll probably be relegated to fetching her cups of coffee and typing up her paperwork.

“Anyway,” Miss Beautiful continues, “the boss wants a thorough investigation and expects us to be on this godforsaken island for a while so I’m told the guys back at base have arranged a rental cottage for us all to share. If you want to get packed and meet me back down here then I’ll lead the way to our new home. Ten minutes OK?”

Fantastic. 

Not only do my new employers not trust me to do my job, they send another agent, a very beautiful one with a superior attitude, to work with Charlie and me on this case. 

Oh, and we all get to share a rental cottage together as well.

I was so wrong when I thought this day couldn’t get any worse…

Forever Mine

Amber Reed Mystery Book Three

By Zanna Mackenzie

 

Tagline:

 “Romantic comedy meets celebrity cozy mystery”

Book Blurb:

When celebrities need a crime solving quickly and discreetly they call in the experts – the CCIA, otherwise known as the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency…

Stalkers, shootings and sexy special agents.

All part of being famous, right?

Well, they are for Oscar-winning actress Amelia Kingston when she starts getting deeply disturbing and threatening notes left by a stalker – in her bedroom!

When her boyfriend Ty is shot she calls in the CCIA. The agency sends its newest recruit Amber and her sexy special agent partner Charlie undercover to Amelia’s luxury mountain chalet to track down the person terrorising her.

But circumstances force the agency to pull Charlie off the case, meaning Amber has a new crime fighting partner to try and catch the stalker with – and he’s trouble with a capital T!  He throws Amber’s life into chaos, making her question herself and her abilities as well as her relationship with Charlie.

When events in Los Angeles involving Charlie are splashed across newspapers around the globe Amber’s world comes crashing down.

But before she can even attempt to sort herself out she has to team up with her rogue co-worker and solve this case. Can the two of them manage to pull together and stop the stalker before anyone else gets shot?

Check out this new cozy mystery series with oodles of fun, romance and smart, sassy special agents from the CCIA.

Universal buy link for Forever Mine: http://getbook.at/ForeverMine

Extract:

 “Who’d want to be famous?” 

Charlie and I are hovering in the airport’s baggage reclaim area, hoping our luggage has managed to find its way to France too.  

“Before I got this job I thought being a star was all glamourous living, oodles of money in the bank and being worshipped by all your adoring fans.”

The baggage carousel emits several loud clunks closely followed by a high pitched screeching noise before slowly starting up.

 “But now,” I continue, lowering my voice, “I know being famous makes you a target for all the stalkers, murderers and crazies out there. One minute Amelia Kingston is receiving her Oscar for best actress in the blockbuster movie Forever Mine. The next she’s well, you know....”

Beside me Charlie nods and grabs his battered holdall from the baggage carousel. Then we have to wait for what seems like an eternity before my bright purple suitcase puts in an appearance too. 

“Still not got the hang of this travelling light business have you?” he says hauling my own case from the conveyor belt.

“We’re staying in a luxury mountain chalet in the French Alps. Who knows what outfits I might need? I can’t pack light for this,” I retort whilst feeling a tad guilty about just how much I have crammed into my case. I had to sit on it to force the lid closed.

He shakes his head. “We’re working, Amber.”

“Yes, but we’re working undercover and the other guests will be glam celebrities wearing designer outfits so I’ll need to have some half-decent clothes with me. I can’t just turn up for dinner every night in jeans and a sweater.”

“Why not? I am,” he replies as we head for the exit, Charlie tugging my suitcase behind him. 

Outside the wind is bitingly cold and almost blows me off my feet as we exit the airport terminal and head for the car hire offices. We left behind a warm spring day in the UK but here it feels more like February than May. I pull on a jacket. 

See, that’s another reason why I needed to pack quite so much. The weather in the mountains is notoriously fickle. A girl needs to be prepared for sun, snow and rain where we’re going.

This is my second case as a support officer for the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (otherwise known as the CCIA) and I’m still nervous about the whole catch-a-killer side of my work. OK, it’s mainly for the fully trained CCIA agents to do that side of the job whilst I provide, as my job title suggests, support on the case. 

I do have a tendency to get a little bit carried away sometimes though and find myself in, shall we say, tricky circumstances. Like on my first case when I ended up in a cave on a deserted beach with a murderer who had a knife at my throat. 

Anyway, technically, it’s the agents who are the guys with the special ‘clearance’ to do all sorts of things (sometimes against the law) to solve a case and get murderers put behind bars. Charlie even carries a gun. Which, to be honest, freaks me out just a little. 

Author bio:

Zanna Mackenzie lives on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire border with her husband, 4 dogs, a vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever expanding library of books waiting to be read. 

Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!

Find out more about Zanna at:

Blog: www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk

Twitter:    https://twitter.com/ZannaMacKenzie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/zanna.mackenzie

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10703273-zanna-mackenzie

Amazon Author Page - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanna-Mackenzie/e/B00BKY1A18/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Pinterest: http://uk.pinterest.com/zannamac/