Ace and Hoser Blook

This book was better than the last one. MJD picked up the pace. Betsy is on the verge of finally being wed to the Vampire King, Sinclair. Plans are progressing nicely until everyone disappears or is killed. Betsy's father and stepmother are killed in an auto accident and she is now guardian of BabyJon. Sinclair is just not around. Her best friend is in the hospital fighting cancer.

Betsy must handle things by herself. She deals with fiends, werewolves and a few very unfriendly vampires. I found this book a bit faster paced, due to the increase in action. Still Betsy is a vampire bimbo. She is the vampire Queen but at times she just is so dumb.

a fluff book :)

Rating:

(4.0/5)

Labels: book review, maryjanice davidson, paranormal

This is definitely not a literary masterpiece but it is entertainment. Pure fluff!!

This time Betsy is planning her wedding, trying to come up with a guest list for her surprise birthday party, babysit her infant brother and host some European bigwig vampires. Everyone is ignoring the birthday party, her brother is messing his pants at every opportunity and these bigwigs turn out to have murdered her friend. What else can go wrong? Lots as it turns out!

These books are just fun to read.

Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: book review, maryjanice davidson, paranormal

This is the Diary of Ellen Rimbauer, wife of wealthy Seattle industrialist John Rimbauer. The time period is the early 1900s. Ellen pours out her feelings about her impending marriage and her honeymoon. She discusses the building and planning of their immense mansion. She talks about her confusion re her sexuality.

A large number of disappearances occur at their mansion named Rose Red. This must have been scandalous at the time. People also commit suicide. Ellen believes in the paranormal and the house has a nightmarish quality about it. Ellen's life turns into a nightmare and we watch as she becomes a tormented soul


This book was read for the What's in a Name Challenge

Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: book review, memoir, Reardon

As Eve Dallas is wrapping up what she considers an easy case, she gets a call from an untraceable number, giving her a riddle of where she can find a body. When Dallas deciphers the riddle, she finds a mutilated body in one of her husband's towers. What's worse, is that her husband, Roarke, used to be friends back in Ireland with the victim.

The killer has decided that Dallas is going to play a game with him and that he is going to start taking out people from Roarke's past. Summerset, Roarke's uptight butler gets framed for the crimes. Eve needs to get a step ahead of the killer before he gets too close.

As usual, this was an interesting story. Unfortunately, also as usual, Robb makes it personal, AGAIN! This is book 6 in the series, and I believe for 1/2 of them, someone close to Dallas has taken some sort of hit (framed, attacked, what have you). In a 25+ book series I can understand taking this route once or maybe twice. But 50% of the time in the first 6 books? And of course, Eve walks in on the killer without any backup. I believe 5/6 of the last books have had this happen as well. Why does Robb think that it would be any less dramatic if Eve outsmarted the guy rather than had a fist/gun fight with him?

That being said, I love the chemistry between Eve and Roarke, and the exchanges between Eve and Peabody. Not a bad book overall, just way too predictable.

First Line: "The business of murder took time, patience, skill, and a tolerance for the monotonous."

Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: In Death series, J. D. Robb., mystery

Wealthy bird shop owner, Hiram Gottschalk feels his life is threatened. He can not contact the police because there are no definite threats. The Gottschalk are to say it mildly dysfunctional. The son and heir is mentally unstable and the twin daughters are very twisted and not at all nice. To round out the menagerie there is the housekeeper who could organize the military and the manager of the bird shop who makes Archy look slovenly.

I found this one a bit repetitive. The first 25 pages were the same as the other books in the series. I do like Archy and his irreverence. His girlfriend, Connie is nowhere to be seen this time as she is mad at Archy for thinking 'dirty' thoughts. He needs to be kicked to the curb but not for this reason.

The plot was funny in parts and had a satisfying number of twists. The only niggle was that it was summed up too fast. The villain tried to kill Archy in the end and it just didn't make sense that that is what would happen. It was almost as if the author was running out of paper and had to get it ended then and now.

Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: book review, Lawrence Sanders, mystery

Artemis Fowl finds himself in trouble once again when he tries to make a business deal with a manipulative American business man, Spiro. Spiro steals Fowl's technology (which Fowl stole from the fairy community) and shoots his body guard, Butler. Fowl tricks the fairies into coming to help him out. Holly, a RECON elf, is dispatched to Fowl's location and ends up curing Butler and bringing him back to life.
However, this fairy technology cannot remain in Spiro's hands. Fowl, Butler, the fairies, and even Mulch Diggums come up with a plan to get this technology back.
This is book three in the Artemis Fowl series and doesn't disappoint. Infact, I think I enjoyed it more than the second book. It has some fun technology and entertaining exchanges between characters. Overall, an enjoyable book!

First Line: "Artemis Fowl was almost content."

Rating:

(4/5)

Labels: artemis fowl, children's literature, eoin colfer, fantasty

Book 6 (and until March, the most recent) in the Undead series. This one is quite different from the rest as Betsy finds herself alone. Jessica and Nick are at the hospital, Tina is in Europe, and Sinclair, Marc, Antonia, and others are no where to be found. Past books have focused on the interaction between Betsy and her friends/family. This one is more on Betsy trying to reason where everyone is and coming to sense with herself and her situation. There are still interactions (and they are entertaining at that!) but this is a Betsy book!

While I've enjoyed the last couple of books, I didn't find them as entertaining as the first one. I think this book picked up the pace a bit more. I wonder what's next for Betsy though, now that she's finally married!

First Line: "Once, there was a beautiful queen who was as terrible on the inside as she was glorious on the outside."

Rating:

(4/5)

Labels: maryjanice davidson, undead series

The fifth book in the Undead series (5 books already??) sees Betsy trying to convince her friends not to throw a surprise party for her 31st birthday. Or is she trying to convince her friends TO throw her a surprise birthday party? Betsy is also continuing to plan her wedding with Sinclair, babysit her step-brother, host some European vampires, and, oh yeah, try to solve a murder.
I find that I can't read too many of these books in a row (for fear of losing brain cells? I'm not sure). It's been a while since I read book number 4 so this was a nice break from all the mysteries I've been reading! It's complete fluff, but fun fluff. This book isn't the best in the series, but it's not too bad.

First Line: "'There's a zombie in the attic,' George the Fiend informed me over breakfast."
Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: maryjanice davidson, undead series

This story revolves around the Lady and the Unicorn set of tapestries. Nicolas des Innocents is commissioned by Jean Le Viste to create these works of art. Nicholas espies Claude, the nobleman's daughter and immediately falls in lust. Nicholas while a wonderful painter is also a lover of women. He has already impregnanted the Le Viste's maid.

The story follows the making of the tapestries though the paintings, the creation of 'cartoons' and then the weaving. We learn about each of the families connected to the tapestries. The De La Chappelles are chosen to weave the tapestries and of course they have a beautiful blind daughter.

The most interesting aspect of the story was how these works of art were created and the 'cost' to these artisans in creating these pieces

Rating:

(4.0/5)

Labels: book review, Chevalier, historical fiction

Tyler is a hotel management college student that lives in a small town in Washington. His mom is a hippie with bad taste in men, his sister doesn't do much with his life, and his girlfriend is anorexic. When Tyler comes back from his European trip, he tries to forget that part of his life, including his run in with a French girl, Stephanie. But when Stephanie calls and says she's coming to the USA, Tyler can't hide from his two worlds coming together.
Like any Coupland book, this story is more about people and relationships than about events. I didn't find the characters in this novel as weird as previous Coupland novels that I've read, and for this I was thankful. Coupland keeps these characters weird, but not to the point where you can no longer relate to them.
Not my favourite Coupland book, but definitely not my least favourite either!

First line: "My mother, Jasmine, woke up this morning to find the word D-I-V-O-R-C-E written in mirror writing on her forehead in a big black felt pen".

Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: Canadian author, Coupland

An accident, a horrible accident is how Before I Wake starts. Sherrilyn Barrett is hit by a truck and life changes dramatically for the Barretts. Sherry lives in a comotose state taken care of by her mother, Karen. Simon, her father visits every day but separates from Karen and starts living with a younger colleague. Henry Denton, the driver of the truck attempts suicide. Ruth, Sherry's nurse discovers that she has the gift of healing.

This books looks at miracles and discusses the limits of these gifts. Are they gifts or curses? How far does a family have to go to help others and at what cost? How do you forgive those who unintentionally harm our loved ones?

Wiersema lets each character speak for himself and I found this to be a very interesting way of telling a story. A very thought provoking story that will keep you thinking for weeks

Rating:

(4.5/5)

Labels: book review, Fiction/Literature, Wiersema

David Beck lost the love of his life 8 years ago in a kidnapping and murder. He can not move on from that horrifying night. Two murdered men are found near the lake where his wife was abducted. Then Beck gets an e-mail to watch a webcam. He sees his wife. What is going on?

The FBI are trying to pin her murder on David. The facts of her case just don't add up. There are so many twists and turns. Just when you feel you have it figured out another turn in the story occurs. The bodies start piling up and the facts get murkier and murkier.

A great mystery but I felt the final twist was a bit too much!!!

This book was read for the Numbers Challenge

Rating:

(4.0/5)

Labels: book review, Coben, mystery

This book in the series focuses on Somerset, Roarke's manservant. He is being framed for a series of brutal mutilations, tortures and murders. These stem from the vengence sought by Roarke in the murder of Somerset's daughter.

Eve must put aside her dislike of Somerset and find out who is really behind these murders. She gets a riddle to solve that might get her to the scene before the victim dies. This murderer knows his electronics and McNab, E-detective is introduced. In this book we find out still more about Roarke's murky past but the focus is really on Somerset. We see his weaknesses and strengths and find out a lot more about him.

The plot is well developed and I enjoyed this book every bit as much as the other books in the series

Rating:

(4.0/5)

Labels: book review, J. D. Robb., mystery

Another excellent Rebus book. This book is slightly different as Rebus is sent to London to assist in the capture of a serial murderer. Rebus is not too sure of his ability to help out but as the plot proceeds his confidence in capturing the felon increases.

It is interesting to see London through Rebus's eyes. He is not 'in his element' and must face prejudice. Flight, Rebus's counterpart in London is a decent and good policeman and balances Rebus off very nicely. I love always how Rebus follows his own instincts and to hell with procedure.

In this book he falls for Lisa who wishes to profile the serial killer. I found the relationship a bit conntrived. Mysteries do not breed good relationships.

Rankin writes a great mystery with lots of twists and turns

Rating:

(4.0/5)

Labels: book review, mystery, rankin

Bosch gets called to the scene for his first case after being suspended. A Rolls Royce has been found in a park with a body inside. At first it looks like a mob hit, trunk music. The victim has ties to Vegas, so Bosch spends his time in both LA and Vegas trying to solve the mystery.

The previous Bosch novel (The Last Coyote) was a no holds barred type of book because Bosch was doing his own thing. Now the structure is back because he is working for the city again. He has a new boss, Grace, who seems like she might actually be on Bosch's side. Of course, there's a new love interest (detectives can't ever seem to stay on the same girl for more than one book). But it looks like this love interest might be around for the upcoming book in the series.

There were some unexpected twists and turns, which is always nice because I'm fairly good at guessing "whodunit" and like to be surprised.

First line in the book: "As he drove along Mulholland Drive toward the Cahuenga Pass, Bosch began to hear the music."

Rating:

(4/5)

Labels: bosch, Michael Connelly, mystery

Webb Calder is Benteen Calder's son, the owner of Triple C Ranch in Montana. Webb wants just to be one of the cowboys but his father wants him to step up and take on some responsibility. When will he ever grow up?

The ranch has been in operation for awhile and the railways want to generate more business. The Homesteaders Act is pushed though and now drylanders are flocking to Montana to try their luck. They must cope with drought, cold and very inhospitable conditions to grow a little wheat. Among the first wave of 'nesters' is Lilli and her husband. Webb falls in love at first sight and has trouble keeping his hands off of her.

There is the usual love story but also some insight into the history of Montana around WWI. There is also a bit of intrigue due to the conflict between the cowboys and farmers.

Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: book review, Dailey, romance

Jade doesn't know what to do with herself when her best friend Vicky is hit by a car and dies. She has trouble coming to terms with her guilt, and it doesn't help that Vicky herself has decided to tag along beside Jade as an angel without wings. Only Jade can see and hear Vicky, which distracts her. Slowly, Jade realizes how rude, cruel, and manipulative Vicky could be. Jade needs to come to terms with her guilt before she can move on with her life.

This book was ranked number 86 in the BBC Top 100. Why? It's a children's/young adult book, and one that I don't think would do a very good job at helping a teenager get over the grief of losing someone close. The family dynamics are also kind of weird. I understand that there are things going on in her family, but she seems to not think of her dad as a dad. It just feels kind of off.

I wasn't too impressed. I should be blown away by these books since they were ranked in the top 100 of all time and I definitely was not blown away by this.

First line: "Vicky's my best friend."

Rating:

(3.5/5)

Labels: BBC Top 100, young adult