Sharpshooter in Petticoats

Mary Connealy

After a disastrous marriage, widow Mandy McClellen Gray is doing just fine in her remote mountain home.  She's got her three children to keep her company and gold in the bank to keep her solvent.  The last thing she needs right now is a cantankerous cowboy encroaching on her life.

Rancher Tom Linscott is as tough and cranky as his unruly stallion.  When he finds outlaws have trapped Mandy on her mountain, he's determined to rescue her, whether she wants to be saved or not.  Only problems is, Mandy's trouble follows her.  When he brings her to his home--against her will--outlaws trail then right to his door.

When  the feuding family expands their vengeful plans to include Tom, his need to protect his woman puts him right in the line of fire.

My Take:

Growing up I did a lot of stuff to be like my dad.  As a kid, I thought blue cheese dressing was quite possibly the nastiest thing on planet earth, but I ate it all the time because that's what my dad ate.  I read Lord of the Rings in elementary school because they were my dad's favorite books, though I had to take it one line at a time and consult a dictionary constantly.  I ate sushi with a smile concealing a gag reflex. I watched James Bond movies completely confused by the Cold War intrigue (I was 2 when the Berlin Wall came down, so I didn't grow up in the height of it). Whodathunk that eating and doing these things as a kid would make them my favorite things as an adult.  I can't get enough blue cheese and sushi (though not at the same time-gross!), I am an avid Lord of the Rings fan, and I go to the midnight release of every James Bond movie and actually understand the plots (mm'mm Daniel Craig, be still my beating heart).  

Well, in all of the things I did to be like my dad, one thing stands out as the thing I most love: reading amazing Westerns a la Louis L'Amour.  I don't read as many as I used to, because I've read everything by my beloved Louis, and other westerns just can't stand up in comparison.  So in my oh so verbose and "I digress" sort of way, I'm trying to point out that westerns were a very important part of my childhood and I'm picky about them and I really enjoyed Sharpshooter in Petticoats.  The author really seemed to know what she was talking about.  As I've mentioned before on my blog, I grew up in rural Nevada, where they pronounce "creek" as "crick" etc. so I have a healthy appreciation for all things outdoorsy including hunting fishing and firearms.  I cringe a bit in most books when firearms are brought up, because most of the time, I can see write through the author attempting to sound knowledgeable and it really bugs me.  This is especially key to westerns, because whether you are pro or anti gun, there is no denying that they were an integral part of the old west, and an authentic knowledge is essential.  Sharpshooter in Petticoats is, I believe, the third book in the the Sophie's Daughters series, but it was the first one I read.  I absolutely enjoyed it and never felt lost or that I'd missed out because I hadn't read the previous books.  I did get very interested in the other character's stories and I can't wait to read the other books.  If you enjoy a good western, I'm sure you'll enjoy this book.  The characters are rough, gruff and often down right mean, the action is good, the scenery is beautiful and the romance was practical yet sweet. Now, I'm nothing if but honest on this blog, so I do have to say that Sharpshooter in Petticoats was no Louis L'Amour, but it was a great book nonetheless and I rate it a 2, Borders with a Coupon.

Tell me what you think!  Do you enjoy westerns?  Have you ever read Louis L'Amour?  Have you read any of the books in this series?  Which is your favorite?  Hit the comments!

If Sharpshooter in Petticoats was a movie it would likely be rated PG for some mild violence and mildly suggestive material (references to "wifely thoughts" or "being a wife in every way")

***FTC Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing the Sharpshooter in Petticoats, or any of the books from the Sophie's Daughters Series, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon links, thank you!

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The Dangerous Edge of Things

Tina Whittle

Tai Randolph thinks inheriting a Confederate-themed gun shop is her biggest headache — until she finds a murdered corpse in her brother's driveway. Even worse, her supposedly respectable brother begins behaving in decidedly non-innocent ways, like fleeing to the Bahamas and leaving her with both a homicide in her lap and the pointed suspicions of the Atlanta PD directed her way. Suddenly, she has to worry about clearing her own name, not just that of her wayward sibling.

Complicating her search for answers is Trey Seaver, field agent for Phoenix, an exclusive corporate security firm hired to investigate the crime. Trey is fearless, focused, and — much to Tai's dismay — utterly impervious to bribes, threats and clever deceptions. Still in recovery from the car accident that left him cognitively and emotionally damaged, Trey has constructed a world of certainty and routine. He has powerful people to answer to, and the last thing he wants is an unpredictable stranger "detecting" on Phoenix turf.

Tai's inquiry leads her from the cold-eyed glamour of Atlanta's adult entertainment scene to the gilded treachery of Tuxedo Road. Potential suspects abound, including violent stalkers, vengeful sisters, and a paparazzo with a taste for meth. But it takes another murder — and threats to her own life — to make Tai realize that to solve this crime, she has to trust the most dangerous man she's ever met.

My Take:

I seem to be in the minority on this one, I didn't really find this book all that great.  It was competently written, I can't say there was really anything bad about it specifically, it just lacked a certain pizazz.  I didn't love Tai, I wasn't all that intrigued about the mystery and the dialogue didn't wow me.  The one bright shining light of the book was Tai's partner, Trey.  After a head injury, he is left with a severe lack of social skills, which combined with his deadly training makes him a very volatile, and interesting, character.  Of course, he was hot, he is the love interest after all, he's quirky and downright off, which I love.  Probably due to the fact that I myself am more than a little bit off, normal characters just don't do it for me.  I'd love to see him as the main character of series.  Like I said before, the book isn't bad, and neither is Tai. I'm just not interested in finding out what makes her tick.  I definitely appreciated the fact that she wasn't a wimpy southern bell, and the fact that she owned a gun shop, but didn't ascribe herself to any particular stereotype.  Growing up in rural Nevada certainly left me with a healthy appreciation for the second amendment, so I always love some good firepower in an action book :)  The book is worth a read, but didn't rock my world, give it a try and let me know what you think! 3, Find a Used Book Store

I'd love to hear your opinion!  Did you enjoy this book?  If you've read the book, who was your favorite character?  Do you enjoy reading about people that are a little off, or do you like more straight-edge characters?  Hit the comments!

If The Dangerous Edge of Things was a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for some sexual content and violence

***FTC Disclosure: The Dangerous Edge of Things was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own*** 

If you are interested in purchasing The Dangerous Edge of Things, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

Ten Ruby Trick

Julia Knight

Privateer Van Gast thrills in capturing treasure; delights in pulling off elaborate scams; and has an outrageous reputation with the ladies. But there is only one woman for him: fellow privateer Josie-seductive, brave and unpredictable. He's hoping to make their relationship permanent, until he raids the wrong ship. Now slavers are stalking him, his crew is verging on mutiny and Josie has disappeared. 

When she reappears with a new mark wanting Van Gast's help running the ten ruby trick con, he senses trouble. It seems like Josie has joined up with mage-bound slavers to turn him over to their Master. Van Gast is about to take the biggest risk of all-and find out the true meaning of trust and betrayal.

My Take:

Are you looking for a book with mages who's magic manifests itself in the form of crystals growing out of the mage's skin who enslaves his people with a little wiggly silver worm that attaches itself to the bone controlling the enslaved's mind and body and if the enslaved tries to fight it black lines of poison spread out all over the body thus killing the person?  What's that you say?  You weren't looking for something quite that specific?  Oh. Well...you need to check this book out anyway :)  It's not often I come across a book that is truly different without feeling artificial or contrived.  I was really surprised at just how much I did enjoy the odd little universe in Ten Ruby Trick.  The vibe was very much the golden age of piracy with cutlasses and pillaged treasure while adding in a fantasy element with mages and mystical slavery.  Of course if I'm going to talk about the things I liked in the book, I can't leave out the classic "old lost love vs. new love" love triangle with three very interesting characters.  One of which is a bonded slave, Holden, with no free will, the other two being notorious "racks" (pirates) Josie and Van Gast who, while deeply in love, maintain their reputation of being the most bitter of enemies to better scam unsuspecting victims.  Honestly, this book has it all: danger, magic, sexy swashbuckling anti-heroes, a fierce and strong female protagonist, and several twists to keep you guessing until the very end. Really, the only thing I didn't like was the excessive language.  The sheer volume of f-words felt very forced to me and was quite distracting.  Had that been toned down this book would have been perfection.  That being said I rate Ten Ruby Trick a 2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If Ten Ruby Trick was a movie, it would be rated R for mild sexual content, violence and excessive language

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Ten Ruby Trick, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

The Paris Secret

Angela Henry

Less than twenty-four hours after fleeing to Paris, Maya Sinclair is the prime suspect in a brutal murder—and targeted by the real killer. When she's viciously attacked in the gardens of Versailles, Maya barely escapes with her life thanks to sexy French journalist Simon Girard.

Simon has been investigating the mysterious death of his brother, an art forger with ties to the woman Maya is suspected of killing. Still healing from heartbreak of his own, Simon reluctantly joins forces with Maya, who has awakened feelings within him he thought long dead.

Their search for answers uncovers the existence of a secret society, and puts them on a quest to find a missing crucifix rumored to hold the key to everlasting life. Together, Maya and Simon race through Paris one step ahead of a killer who will do anything to ensure some secrets remain buried forever...

My Take:  

What started out as a "my fiance cheated on/dumped me and now I'm off to find myself in an exotic city" chiclit turned seamlessly into an Indiana Jones/DaVinci Code hybrid with just a pinch of Sister Act tossed in.  Odd combo, yes, but it works.  A lot of stuff is thrown at you in this book, but it is all introduced in a way that you aren't lost at all.  It is easy to follow and very exciting.  I am really really good at predicting twist endings, and I didn't totally predict how this book played out, so kudos to Angela Henry.  I also think Angela Henry did a great job of creating a wonderful setting and mood.  I have to say, Paris has never been a place I've ever really been interested in visiting.  I don't know why, but it just doesn't float my boat like say maybe London or Venice.  But the sights, sounds and smells of Paris in The Paris Secret have most definitely piqued my interest in The City of Love.  I'd recommend this book to just about anyone who likes a good mystery/thriller.  It is fast paced, there's a touch of romance and history, the characters are solid and there are not a few twists.  Really, the only thing the book lacked was resonance.  That intangible something that keeps you thinking about it long after you've finished, but it was definitely a page turner (or clicker since I read it on my Kindle :).  I really enjoyed The Paris Secret, and am therefore giving it a rating of a good solid 3, Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Paris Secret was a movie it would likely be rated R for violence, sexual content, and language

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Paris Secret, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

The Emporer's Tomb

Steve Berry

Hearing that his old friend Cassiopeia Vitt is in trouble, Malone follows the few clues he has and realizes that they are in the middle of something huge, involving Russian and US oil interests and a centuries-old secret. After stumbling across two dead bodies and into the cross hairs of his former boss, Malone finds himself in a race to unravel the mystery of an emperor's tomb, a sinister society, and a deadly battle between two ruthless men for supremacy in China -- and the world.

My Take:

Growing up, I was always trying to be just like my dad and copied everything he did.  Most of the things I picked up on as I tried to emulate him have stuck with me in adulthood, not the least of which is my love of reading.  Specifically adventure novels in the vein of Clive Cussler and slightly more political, Tom Clancy.  I remember reading them in elementary school not really understanding them, but determined to muddle through so that I could discuss them with my dad.  As I grew up, I understood them more and my love for them remains.  When I was contacted to review this book, I did a bit of research on Steve Berry, and when many people compared him to Clive Cussler, I knew before I read the book that I'd found a new favorite author.  After reading the book, I wasn't disappointed!  The story (if implausible at times) was exciting and the pacing for the most part was steady and entertaining.  As this was my first read in the series, I wasn't sure if I'd be lost regarding the main character's back stories.  I had no problems whatsoever, I didn't feel lost once.  I really loved the abundance of historical info on Chinese culture, which I find absolutely fascinating.  Berry really captures the intriguing history and uses it as a rich backdrop for a modern political thriller.  The Emperor's Tomb is exciting, informative and extremely entertaining.  Overall I thought the book was great, but could have been just a tad shorter, and the pacing felt sluggish a time or two.  2, Borders with a Coupon.  I can't wait to read more from this author, I can't wait to sink my teeth into some of his Russia centric novels.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Emperor's Tomb was a movie, it would be rated PG-13

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Emperor's Tomb, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

Rasputin's Legacy

Troy Matthew Carnes

What if the two most ruthless mass murderers in history wanted you dead?

Giorgi Lazarov is only a young boy, but he can predict the future.  Until recently, only one person on earth knew that Giorgi's remarkable gift was passed down from his famous grandfather Grigori Rasputin.  But now the two most dangerous men in the world know of his special power.  Adolf Hitler learns of him through SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler's most gifted witch, and Joseph Stalin finds out when an insane prostitute languishing in an asylum claims to have borne Rasputin's child.  She is in fact Giorgi's grandmother.

Now, as the Nazi war machine invades the Soviet Union, launching the bloodiest conflict in human history, both Hitler and Stalin want him desperately,  They send their most capable assassins to find the boy and either claim his power for their cause or make certain that he does not live to be used against them.  When the Germans capture his village, Giorgi is separated from his parents, and he finds himself in a world of madness and utter evil where it seems there are only killer and corpses.

The people of the Ukraine can see no hope of salvation, but Giorgi can see everything...

My Take:  

Sometimes when I am on a deadline, I'll read a book in one day because I have to.  Other times, there is the rare book where I literally cannot put it down and I read the entire 400+ pages in one sitting.  Rasputin's Legacy is absolutely one of those rare books.  The beginning sucks you right in, grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the end.  The book is chalk full of great history, but trust me, you won't ever mistake this book for a textbooky historical fiction piece.  If you aren't a history buff, you'll be too distracted by the amazing story and action, you won't even notice the history lesson you are getting.  One of my favorite parts about this book, is that it discusses certain atrocities that aren't really mentioned in high school World History.  We all learned about the Nazis and the Holocaust, which was of course very important, but many times the plight of the Russian people that were murdered by Stalin is completely passed over.  This book has it all as we follow little Giorgi, Rasputin's illegitimate grandson, as he attempts to evade the clutches of both Hitler and Stalin.  The reader gets a front row seat to witness the inner workings of two of the most evil men in modern times.  All in all Rasputin's Legacy is amazing.  It is well written, exciting, and filled with rich and complex characters.  It is a great book for people who love history, WWII, action and adventure, paranormal thrillers, German and Russian history, or really anyone who loves a great story.  1, Pay Full Price

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel.

If Rasputin's Legacy were a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for violence, some sexual content and adult situations

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Rasputin's Legacy, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

The Missionary

William Carmichael and David Lambert

Yesterday he was an American missionary serving the poor.  Today he's an international fugitive.

David Eller and his wife, Christie, work to help rescue impoverished children in Caracas, Venezuela.  But for David, that isn't enough.  The supply of homeless children is endless because of massive poverty and the oppressive policies of the Venezuelan government.

When he is given an opportunity to do something more--to heal the disease rather than working on the symptoms--David decides to go for it.  But little by little, he falls into an unimaginable nightmare of espionage, ending in a desperate, life-or-death gamble to flee the country with his wife and son.

My Take:

Imagine if Tom Clancy was assigned the task of writing an ad for the Feed the Children network.  This book, The Missionary, would be the result.  It's an exciting political thriller with a bit of a Christian twist and a hefty dose of guilt that you are sitting in your comfortable air conditioned living room reading about people who gave up their careers and lives to help starving children in Venezuela, instead of helping the kids yourself (though the book isn't preachy, so don't let that deter you)  I really enjoyed the twists and turns as you accompany everyman David Heller as he attempts to negotiate his way around a South American coup.  He is easy to identify with as he quite clumsily tries to do the right thing and gets in way over his head.  The action is fast paced, but not dizzyingly so, and the writing is concise and engaging.  Was The Missionary the most fantastic thriller I ever read?  Nah, but it was a solidly written book, very entertaining and all in all a pretty great way to spend my free time.  3, Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Missionary was a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for some violence

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Missionary, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

If you enjoyed this review, feel free to leave The Book Buff a tip in "Kate's Tip Jar" located on the sidebar.  All tips are anonymous and in no way affect any of my reviews, thanks a ton!

Death in Amber

Dean Fetzer

The Amber Room.  A wondrous room made from panels of carved amber - a gift in the 18th Century to Peter the Great, Czar of Russia. Once part of a palace outside St Petersberg, this priceless treasure has been missing since the end of World War II. Removed from the palace by a Nazi art collection squad at the height of the war, the Amber Room was last seen in Königsbourg in late 1944 - it vanished without a trace. Now, someone knows where it has come to rest and will do anything to get it. Ninety years on and beautiful young women are being found dead with no evidence of why they died. Forensics has no clues and fewer answers. Haunted by a mysterious benefactress, Jaared Sen is hired by an old friend to find his missing niece. A Contractor for The Company, Jaared is the only one who can find her - and the Amber Room - before the killer strikes again. 

My Take:

Sometimes I think the whole "epic quest to find the missing historical artifact which was stolen by Nazis and disappeared after WWII, whilst being continually thwarted by a seemingly unrelated, yet totally connected to the main plot, villain" storyline should have its own genre, preferably with a name a bit more concise than the one I just gave.  Well, that is the basic plot line of Death in Amber, but the fun part is that the artifact isn't a done to death artifact like the Holy Grail, but rather a room carved in Amber as a gift to Peter the Great of Russia.  So bonus points were assigned to this book for not centering the plot around The Holy Grail, the Knights Templar or anything with the words DaVinci or Code (don't get me wrong, I love all of those things, especially The DaVinci Code, but so many copycats are driving me crazy!)  Anyway, aside from the novel storyline, I really enjoyed the very awesome main character.  He was definitely someone you can get behind and really root for.  As for the negatives of the book, for a while the storyline felt very scattered and jumpy, and I was more than a bit confused.  It took some time for the book to come into its own, but eventually it did and delivered an exciting tale.  I think for a rating, I'm going to give this one a 3, Find a Used Book Store.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13 for violence, language and sexuality

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Death in Amber, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Nexus Point

Jaleta Clegg

When Captain Dace crash lands on a primitive planet, she finds herself on the run from villagers who are sure she's a demon, and the Space Patrol who's sure she's one of the bad guys.  Accused of stealing her own ship, facing death (or worse) at the hands of those who should be rescuing her, she must find not only some way to survive, but also escape.  Unfortunately, the world has other plans.

My Take:

People have been calling this book a "Space Opera."  Well, I didn't really know what that term meant, so I looked it up, and many people seem to think it means a dramatic and epic space adventure.  But really no one could agree on one definition anyway, and since I think that phrase is super cheesy, I will refrain from using it to describe Nexus Point.  I really saw this book as what would happen if the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises had a baby.  The book was quite epic and very enjoyable with a little bit of everything.  There was science fiction, romance, adventure, mythology and humor.  I very much enjoyed the inventiveness of the storyline and the strong protagonist.  Nexus Point was a bit depressing at the beginning, and tough to get into, but after that it was pretty fun.  I really enjoyed the book overall, but it was missing one very key element after all was said and done.  It didn't so much resonate with me when it was over, meaning, I didn't give it that much thought afterward.  This may seem arbitrary, but its an important factor with me.  3, Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Nexus Point, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Fear No Evil

Robin Caroll

Lincoln Vailes is upside down and in over his head.

After a haunting injury, this former Great Smoky Mountains park ranger becomes a police officer deep in Louisiana to be closer to his ailing father.  The bayou town of Eternal Springs appears sleepy at first, but Vailes is soon dealing with hurricanes and an out-of-nowhere double homicide.

Eager social worker Jade Laurent has also moved to Eternal Springs to try and right the wrongs of an abusive past.  Her desire to help others doesn't merit the sudden increase of guns being pointed in her direction and cars running her off the road.

Thrown together by circumstances far more dangerous than they could imagine, Lincoln and Jade must figure out who is behind these deadly deeds before a killer catches them in his cross hairs.

My Take:

Fear No Evil got off to a heartrending and explosive start,  but slowly fizzled a bit throughout.  The book was still good, it just didn't end up living up to the bar the author set with the beginning scene.  There were many things I enjoyed about this book, such as the main character, Jade, her strength and compassion.  I also enjoyed the sweet little romance that was prevalent throughout (though some of the dialogue was entirely too syrupy sweet, lovey dovey for my taste).  I think this book had some great potential, but there were several ways it fell short of that potential. Something I noticed, was that I was really excited for a thriller to be set in the Louisiana Bayou's, but the creepiness of the surroundings was completely under utilized.  Another aspect that didn't quite work was the faith promoting insertions.  It's tough to add scripture and other strong religious themes without making the reader feel like they are in Sunday School.  Fear No Evil struggled to keep the religious elements natural, which is very important for me.  As the writer, you have to make the reader feel like all the things you are saying are their own thoughts and feelings, otherwise, it can feel a bit like the reader is being preached at.  All in all I just didn't love this book, it felt a bit repetitive at times, and there wasn't much resonance after I had finished it, but as I was reading it, I found it to mostly be a page turner.  I feel I may have been quite critical about this book, but this is only because I see it has so much potential.  I am looking forward to reading more from this author. 3, Find a Used Book Store

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would be rated PG-13 (but on the lighter side) for violence

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Fear No Evil, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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Don't Blink

James Patterson and Howard Roughan

THE GOOD

Lombardo's Steakhouse in New York is famous for three reasons: the menu, the clientele. and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer.  Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police's fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

THE BAD

Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad boy/  In the chaos, he accidentally captures a key piece of evidence that lands him in the middle of an all-out war between Italian and Russian Mafia forces.  NYPD captains, district attorneys, mayoral candidates, media kingpins, and one shockingly beautiful magazine editor are all pushing their own agendas--on both sides of the law.

AND THE DEAD

Back off--or die--is the clear message Nick receives as he investigates for a story of his own,  Heedless, and perhaps in love with his beautiful editor, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson can achieve.

My Take:  

I have read a lot of James Patterson's books, and I feel like they are becoming less and less dynamic.  That being said however, his books (even the weaker ones) are more explosive than many out there.  Don't Blink was not the fastest paced book ever produced by Patterson, but I have the say the dynamic ending, and it's many twists and turns, gave the book a much needed oomf!  Just when you thought the story had been resolved BAM! Another twist! Then of course BAM!  Another twist! and for good measure BAM!  One last (and powerful) gut punch.  I enjoyed the main character, he was a snarky journalist (which doesn't usually appeal to me) but he also had heart and courage, though it may be argued that the courage was actually equal parts luck and stupidity.  I very much enjoyed Don't Blink, like I said before, the middle was less than stellar, but those trademark Patterson plot twists sure redeemed it.  I think I will assign the rating 3, Find a Used Book Store

Audiobook Review:  I was fortunate to have received this book in audio format, but I am sorry to say I didn't love the voice actor's performance.  Everyone had an uber scratchy voice ranging in intensity from common cold/sore throat scratchy, to Godfather scratchy.  The accents assigned to the various Italians, Russians, and others all sounded the same.  I dunno, maybe I'm overly picky and the accents drove me crazy because I have an Italian speaker for a father and Russian speaker for a husband. Overall it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would be rated R for violence, strong language and sexual situations

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing Don't Blink, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

  

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And the Beat Goes On

Tracy Krauss

Archaeologist Mark Graham unearths a remarkable discovery while at a dig site in the mountains of Zimbabwe. Fossilized remains of a pterodactyl are found carefully buried alongside those of gigantic human bones. Speculation leads to the possible existence of a mythical race known as Nephilim, a pre-flood people alleged to have descended from both gods and men.

But skepticism and sabotage delay Mark and his fellow archaeologists as the dig site is compromised, putting their discovery – as well as his very life – in grave danger. Deceived and framed by trusted friends and colleagues, Mark struggles to safeguard his findings and protect his reputation in order to unearth the mystery behind the Nephilim.

My Take:

I am a very visual person, so I always have a first impression of a book in mind from what I see on the cover.  I shouldn't let this happen, but I can't help it.  To be perfectly honest, I was a little turned off by this cover, it isn't my cup of tea.  I don't know how many times I need to be reminded of this, but you can't judge a book by its cover!  I was immediately drawn into this book, and I was able to easily concentrate on it even though I was on my 30th rigorous minute on the ARC at the gym with two ladies on either side of me talking very loudly to each other in another language :)  And the Beat Goes On is exciting, well paced, extremely entertaining and interestingly discusses scientific basis for Intelligent Design.  The characters are fabulous, the romance is wonderful, all in all, And the Beat Goes On is just an awesome book.  I finished it in about a day and a half, and couldn't even put it down toward the end if I tried.  I review a lot of books, and I don't care to reread or even keep many of them, but this book is one I will keep on my bookshelf and read several times over.  2, Borders with a Coupon

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13 for adult situations

***FTC Disclosure:  I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing And the Beat Goes On, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

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The Pack

L.M. Preston

Shamira is considered an outcast by most, but little do they know that she is on a mission. Kids on Mars are disappearing, but Shamira decides to use the criminals most unlikely weapons against them the very kids of which they have captured. In order to succeed, she is forced to trust another, something she is afraid to do. However, Valens, her connection to the underworld of her enemy, proves to be a useful ally. Time is slipping, and so is her control on the power that resides within her. But in order to save her brother's life, she is willing to risk it all.

My Take:

I absolutely loved reading this book, but before I get into why it was so great, I want to get the bad stuff over with quickly.  There was a bit of awkward writing here and there throughout the book, and a few redundant phrases that were funny to me (pensive thoughts, secretly made a secret account, unattainably impossible) These phrases weren't a big deal, just a personal preference to not see those hanging around a good book.  Anyway, that's it, everything else, I totally loved.  The characters were great and I especially loved the growth each of the characters made throughout the course of the book.  Each and every one of them felt real and whole, especially the main character, Shamira.  Though she was cranky and more than a little aggravating toward the beginning of the story, you still felt for her and rooted for her.  As she grew into the leadership role she eventually took, you saw her soften her heart a bit and grow into a well rounded person.  I felt that the book had a great mix of the different elements that makes up a good action book.  There was a little romance going on, great action scenes, not too much violence for a YA book, thoroughly developed characters, and a hint of suspense and treachery.  The pacing was also well done, it was a teensy teensy bit slow at the very beginning, but picked right up and the book was a total page turner.  The Pack is a great book for any teenager or YA fan to read.  It is science fictiony, but doesn't overwhelm the reader with that aspect, it's just a great story.  I am excited to read more from this author.  Overall, The Pack gets a rating of a 2, Borders with a Coupon.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If The Pack were a movie it would likely be rated a VERY mellow PG-13 for mild language (a few H's and D's) throughout and violence throughout.  Some light sexual suggestiveness.

A Few words with the author, L.M. Preston:

The Book Buff: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

L.M. Preston: I considered myself a writer when I finished my first book. At that point I knew it was something that I wanted to do and loved doing it. That this wasn’t going away.

 TBB: Do you have a specific writing style?

LMP: I believe I do. Even though I write YA, Scifi, I aim to write in a easy to read and engaging manner. One of the main reasons I write this way is because my beta readers who were teens told me that they didn’t like scifi because it was so techy and the authors would write complex along with the complex issues they discussed. So I wanted to write a fun, easy read that even a teen that didn’t have great reading skills would devour easily.

 TBB: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

LMP: I would have kept Shamira blind longer. It was challenging to write in that manner, but many of my younger beta readers were frustrated that they couldn’t get a clear picture of the environment that surrounded her and they requested that she gain sight earlier in the book.

 TBB: How much of the book is realistic? Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

LMP: Many of my books have teen scenarios that I pull from my own childhood or from my kids. The dialogue between characters and the character types are composed of personalities I’ve known personally. In addition, growing up I wasn’t popular and was the butt of many jokes. I also had a blind friend that was very much like Shamira in her relation to meeting and trusting others.

TBB: What is your favorite interview question, and what is the answer?

LMP: What has made you the person you are today. I love this question. I’ve become the person I am today because of all the hurdles, trials, mistakes and tenacious spirit of hope that I have. These lessons I weave into my writing for young people, because my readers value being portrayed as smart, resourceful and fearless – which are the traits that most teens have.

TBB: What are you working on now?

 LMP: The Pack – Retribution, brings Shamira back where she struggles with being a leader and burying herself back within. Her trust and friendships are further tested. This is due out in Spring, 2012.

TBB: Where can readers find you if they are interested in learning more about your work?

LMP: I love people to check out my blog which is http://lmpreston.blogspot.com also I’m having a Virtual Book Release Party with a giveaway of a free hotel night stay among other party favors at http://bookpartylmpreston.blogspot.com

To find out about my upcoming books check out www.lmpreston.com

***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given, all opinions are my own***

If you are interested in purchasing The Pack, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you! 

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Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Seth Grahame-Smith

 Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation. 

My Take:

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was written by the same man that wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  He is the master of successful unexpected horror blending.  He takes a concept that is utterly laughable, and writes it in such an authentic way, that when you are reading his work, you don't think twice; Abraham Lincoln was a vampire hunter, Elizabeth Bennett was a zombie fighter (from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies).  He has such a skill for making it work (in the words of Tim Gunn for all you Project Runway fans :), I don't know how else to put it--it works.  The author writes with total respect toward Abraham Lincoln.  He isn't making a joke of his life at all, in fact, the vampire presence in the book caused a new light to be shed on Lincoln.  Obviously, he wasn't a vampire hunter, but having the book written from his secret vampire hunting journals allowed the author to dig deep into the President's inner most thoughts of life, loss, and the pressure he felt throughout his entire life.  This book also "solved" some historical mysteries, such as what happened to the lost settlement of Roanoke, and some insights into Mary Todd Lincoln's insanity after the death of her husband.  Overall, this book is a great piece historical fiction, the history, aside from the vampires, is very well researched and accurate.  The book has pretty good pacing, once you get passed the beginning, which was just a little tiny bit dry.  I will say that just because you love a good vampire/paranormal/supernatural book, does not necessarily mean you will love this book.  There is a lot of action, but it is spread out, it isn't a non stop thriller.  It definitely leans more toward the historical fiction aspect, rather than the paranormal aspect.  It doesn't get as much into the history and mythology of vampires, because it just isn't important for the book.  The focus of the book is all about Abraham Lincoln, and the present vampire/human conflict (by present, I mean Abe Lincoln's present :)  I am giving this book a rating of a 2, Borders with a Coupon.  I couldn't stop talking about it (much to my ever patient hubby's consternation), and it is one to add to your permanent library.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13 for violence and language

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting  The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link!

Moonstone

Marilee Brothers

 A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime.

My Take:

Honestly, though I enjoyed "Moonstone", I didn't love it.  Some of the language sounded a lot like that out of touch parent trying to use outdated "hip lingo" to get in with the "youngsters these days".   I half expected to actually hear the term "whippersnapper" at some point in the book.  The strong language used throughout had the same feel.  It felt as if she had written a book for teenagers and then as an after thought, added in strong language to have a wider appeal, but it just didn't feel natural.  If a book is going to have language, it can't be in there just to have it in there, it's got to at least feel natural.  While the writing felt a bit strained, the story line was interesting and new, and it really made up for some of the awkward writing.  The characters were also intriguing.  I really found myself rooting for the hero, as she was relatable and normal.  While reading the book, I was very wrapped up in it, and it was definitely a page turner, but I forgot about it the second I was done.  If you are in the mood for just a fun little way to pass the time, this is definitely the book for that, but not necessarily one to purchase and keep in your library for all time.  I rate this book a 4, Borrow from a Friend, not a waste of time to read, just, don't spend money on it.

Do you agree with my review, or do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

Be sure to check out the rest of The Fantasy Section of The Book Buff!

If this book were made into a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for moderately strong language throughout.

If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider supporting The Book Buff by buying it from the Amazon link below, thank you.

Dark Pursuit

Brandilyn Collins

A new stand-alone “Seatbelt Suspense” from bestselling author Brandilyn Collins.

Kaitlan Sering’s estranged grandfather, novelist Darell Brooke, was the legendary King of Suspense—until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Now she’s begging him to protect her from a real serial killer. Can his muddled mind devise a plan to catch the murderer?

 My Take:

One of the things that stood out to me in this book was how self-aware it was.  One of the main characters is like an older James Patterson, a famous suspense novelist, and the fact that the events of the story unfold like a suspense novel is not lost on him, and is frequently commented on.  Things are foreshadowed in the book by what he would write, it the story were up to him.  This aspect put an interesting twist, without which, I don't think the book would have been special.  It also wasn't really the run of the mill "whodunit", but more, "okay, we know whodunit, now how do we catch him?"  This wasn't the most fantastic book I've ever read, but its a good way to kill some time and have some good entertainment.  The pacing was well done overall, which is always something I watch for, and tend to jump on quickly if it isn't up to par.  There is also a twist at the ending which I saw coming, and predicted with some, but not all, accuracy.  I enjoyed the twist none the less.  I rate this book a 3, Find a Used Book Store.  A fun read, but it doesn't really stick with you after you're finished.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

Did you enjoy Dark Pursuit?  Check out Exposure, also by Brandilyn Collins, as well as the rest of the Mystery Section!

Looking for something a little more intense?  You might enjoy James Patterson.  Some of my favorite titles are The Jester, and Step on a Crack.

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated either PG to PG-13, this is one of those in between books.  I don't think any adult should shy away from it, it's depictions of violence are very tame, but the concept of a serial killer might make it a little too intense to be PG.

Exposure: A Novel

Brandilyn Collins

When your worst fear comes true.

Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she's a little crazy. Kaycee's popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home-then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee's mind. Where is all this coming from?

Maybe she is going over the edge.

High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.

My Take:

Pretty good book.  I can't gush over it, but I enjoyed it.  One of the ways I judge as to whether or not the book achieves greatness is the lingering factor.  Do the events of the book linger in your mind after you've finished reading?  With Exposure, not really, but I really enjoyed it while it lasted.  Therefore, while not great, it was certainly entertaining.  It was a little slow going at the beginning, but really flew by about the last third.  Obviously, since it is a mystery novel, there is always that confrontation at the end with whatever the antagonist might be, whether in the main character's own mind, or a real person.  One thing I really liked about this book is that the final confrontation does not drag on for eternity!  I love James Patterson, but sometimes it feels like it drags a little bit in the final fights.  This book has a great balance of not feeling rushed, and getting it over with quickly.  The characters in the book were very solid.  I really enjoyed Kaycee's sense of humor, and how she was able to give you a glimpse into what it feels like to be constantly plagued by debilitating fears.  The author also makes great use of the epilogue, answering any lingering questions.  Overall, I would rate this book a 3, Buy at a Used Book Store. 

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I am totally off base? Either way I'd love to hear what you have to say.  Be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel.

Did you enjoy Exposure?  If this is your kind of book, check out the rest of the Mystery Section.  My favorite mysteries on The Book Buff are Step on a Crack and Angels and Demons.

Like mystery, but looking for a teen book?  Check out Running Out of Time.

Hey adrenaline junkies! Don't forget to take a look at the Action-Adventure Section, including The DaVinci Code, and The Book of Names

If this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG.  It has violence and intense situations, but it is extremely moderate.