Review: Shadows Still Remain by Peter de Jonge

275 pages
ISBN:  978-0061373541
Genre:  Mystery/Suspense
My Rating;  3 stars
This book falls into the following 2010 Reading Challenges:
Synopsis:
A Beautiful Woman, Missing
New York City, 2005. Thanksgiving weekend. A topless Kate Moss peers down from a billboard over rain-spattered Houston Street. Escaping a troubled past, Francesca Pena came to the city and reinvented herself. At New York University, her beauty and charisma are the envy of her privileged pals, yet none knows the real Francesca—who, after a night of drinking, is now missing.

A High-Stakes Gamble

Detective Darlene O’Hara of the Seventh Precinct and her partner, Serge “K.” Krekorian, set out to find Pena. But when the case turns high-profile and Homicide is called in, O’Hara—who has an eighteen-year-old son she saddled with the name Axl Rose O’Hara, and whose binge drinking exacerbates the massive chip on her shoulder—refuses to let go. Risking both her and K.’s careers, she defies NYPD brass and Homicide legend Patrick Lowry to secretly pursue her own investigation.

A Desperate Chase—and a Chilling Twist

Following a deadly trail that leads from NYU’s ivory towers to Brooklyn tattoo parlors, from a skanky strip club to a whitewashed boutique run by a Korean madam, O’Hara closes in on her prey. But she has to move fast, because Lowry and the NYPD are about to make a devastating mistake that will leave the real killer free.

My Thoughts:

This book had been languishing in my TBR for the better part of 6 months and I was in the mood for a mystery, so I finally pulled it out.  The author previously co-authored books with James Patterson, so I was anticipating great things, like Andrew Gross had done on his own.  I was highly disappointed.  There was just something missing from this book, but I can’t really put my finger on it.  It’s a well thought out police procedural with a surprise ending, but it lacked the fast-paced twists and turns I am used to reading from Patterson.  I almost stopped reading it a few times, but after I got to about page 50 or so, it started to pick up a bit.

It’s a decent mystery, but it just didn’t do much for me.  There were parts of the story that really bothered me on a personal level which also added to my negative feelings about the book as a whole.  If you like cop books, you will probably enjoy this.  It was just a bit boring for me.

Review: Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

214 pages

ISBN:  9780312383695
Genre:  Young Adult
Buy from Amazon – as of this post, the bargain price is $3.98!  (Yes, I am an Amazon affiliate and would receive a small commission if you were to purchase through my link!)
My Rating:  3.5 stars
This book meets the following 2010 Reading Challenges:
Synopsis:
“Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games…but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn’t something she can say out loud. It isn’t even something she can say to herself. A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault. If she can just remove herself from everybody–be totally alone–then everything will be okay…The problem is, nobody will let her.”

My Thoughts:

Cracked Up to Be is the story of Parker Fadley, a mean-spirited perfectionist who has a huge secret that is destroying her “perfect” life. This is a quick and easy YA read, and, although I could feel for Parker at times, I did not find her character very likeable. I thought, at first, that she was being mean to people because she didn’t want anyone to be close to her due to her “secret”. But, as I continued to read the story, I got the impression that she was always a bit mean-spirited and the situation she found herself in just made it a worse.

I really enjoyed how this story was told, from present-day conversations and issues, to flashbacks of the night her life changed forever. It really tied together nicely and I found it a very compelling way to tell the story. I applaud the people around Parker who were trying very hard to help her, even though she keeps pushing them away. I could relate to Parker’s panic and anxiety attacks, even though she didn’t want to readily admit that that’s what was happening to her! Her nervous tick was also very interesting! You could really tell that she needs intensive help to deal with her issues.

Overall, this was a good story about how your “perfect” life can change in an instant. I would have liked a bit more information on her “secret” and about the ending of the book. I can’t say what exactly without giving away the story, though!! I just want to know exactly what happened in the aftermath of the “secret”. Coming from a teen’s point of view, this story was especially interesting and I found it very believable. I would definitely recommend this book to any YA fans!

Review: Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger

Advanced Reading Copy courtesy of B&N’s First Look Program
ISBN:  978-1-4391-6833-2
344 pages
Genre:  General Fiction
Purchase a copy!

My Rating:  3.5 stars

This book meets the following 2010 Reading Challenges I’m participating in:

100+ Reading Challenge

From the day Cobb and Mary meet kayaking on Maine’s Allagash River and fall deeply in love, the two approach life with the same sense of adventure they use to conquer the river’s treacherous rapids. But rivers do not let go so easily…and neither does their love. So when Mary’s life takes the cruelest turn, she vows to face those rough waters on her own terms and asks Cobb to promise, when the time comes, to help her return to their beloved river for one final journey.



Set against the rugged wilderness of Maine, the exotic islands of Indonesia, the sweeping panoramas of Yellowstone National Park, and the tranquil villages of rural New England, Eternal on the Water is at once heartbreaking and uplifting — a timeless, beautifully rendered story of true love’s power.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book.  Mary and Cobb are a couple of unique individuals who happened to be at the right place, at the right moment in time, met and fell in love instantly.  Does love at first sight really exist?  I don’t know.  This book gives you a glimpse of what it might be like, though!
We quickly learn (from page 1) that this isn’t going to be a sappy love story.  It’s tragic and heartbreaking.  It really makes you think about life and gives you the urge to go and hug your significant other and never let go!  Cobb is a very strong male character and I don’t know that I could have been as strong as he is with what he has to deal with as far as Mary’s illness is concerned.
Although I did like this story, I felt that it dragged on, unnecessarily, at times.  There was TOO much description, too many stories – it just got tiresome after a while.  I actually put the book down and read something else and then finished the second half!
There is a good story here, albeit a bit quirky, with lots of mentions of crows, turtles, and nature.  There are beautiful descriptions that make you feel like you are really in Maine and experiencing things that the characters are experiencing.  It just went on and on a bit much for me!  Overall, I would give it 3.5 stars.
If you’ve read it, I’m curious what you think!  Let me know!

I Got a First Look at Barnes & Noble.  Get Your Copy Now

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Denise's Daily Dozen by Denise Austin

From Denise Austin comes the perfect health book for anyone who wants to live better but just can’t seem to find the time. Much more than just another exercise book, Denise’s Daily Dozen covers a whole range of health and diet related concepts yet manages it all in a no-stress, time-conscious program of 12′s. At it’s core, this book contains the minimum daily requirements to keep the reader flexible, strong and trim. Organized simply into seven chapters, which equal the seven days of the week, it covers a full week in daily allotments. Each day will have it’s own focus from Monday being “fat burning day” to Sunday’s “recharge and rejuvenate.”
Denise has created a total body program, including a 7-day balanced meal plan that includes healthy recipes, and a workout that encompasses 12 exercises done in 12 minutes each day. Everyone can take just 12 minutes, at whatever time of the day works for them, and turn it over to these simple and fun exercises. Cardio, toning, yoga and breathing exercises…they’re all here but in a way the maximizes effect while minimizing time.

Beyond a dozen exercises for each day of the week this book will include many other of Denise’s dozens for each day.

This is a great fitness/nutrition book that is easy to read and is laid out very nicely.  I’d recommend it to anyone looking to start a new fitness/nutrition regime.  If you can spare 12 minutes a day, then Denise Austin has a plan for you!  This book gives lots of tips, descriptions, and pictures to help you on the path to a healthier lifestyle.  I hope that when I’m 52, I’m looking as good as Denise Austin!!!  LOL  This is definitely a book to help you achieve your goals!  Recommended!!

Would you like to win a copy of this book?  Hachette Books has kindly offered 5 books for giveaway to some lucky readers of my blog!  Just fill out the form below with your name and email address!  That’s it!  The contest will run until February 8.  Sorry, USA/Canada residents only!

Book Giveaway: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Here’s your chance!!  Would you like to win a copy of HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford?  This book is AMAZING!!  Check out my review HERE?
It’s easy – just fill out the form below!  I’ve decided that it’s not a requirement to be a follower of my blog, but it is much appreciated if you are!
I have ONE copy to giveaway to US/Canada residents only.
The contest will run until February 6 and the winner announced February 7!
Good Luck!!