Bootleggers Daughter by Margaret Maron

I saw a review of this series of books set in North Carolina, and I was instantly attracted to it, so I sourced the first few in the series.

This is the first book, and the main character is Deborah Knott, an attorney in Coleen County. An unconventional lady, daughter of the county’s biggest producer of moonshine – or so the rumours go! She is unmarried and a working woman, not at all as she was supposed to turn out and so an on going source of contention between her and her father.

Deborah is approached in this book, by the daughter of a friend of hers, to help her discover the truth behind the murder of her mother which happened when she was only 3 months old. Reluctantly Deborah agrees to try and do what she can, at the same time as she decides to apply for the position of District Judge for the County, to try and take some of the power away from the ‘good old boys’ of the area.

This is a gentle story (in the sense of not loads of blood and guts) of the investigation, and the truths that begin to be uncovered. While at the same time she has to engage in the rituals of going for public office, and all that it entails.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, it was interesting as apart from the story as such, there was a peek into small town living in that part of the world, which was so atmospheric.

If you are a fan of murder/mystery book, and enjoy a gentler take on it, and set in a small town in the South, do give it a go. I did, and now I have another new series to delve into, plus she has another series going, which I am about to investigate also.

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

I had not heard of Faith Hunter till I read in C E Murphy’s  News Letter that she had written with Faith Hunter a novella combining her Joanne Walker, Shaman-from the Walker Papers Series, with Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock, skinwalker. They are both to work together on a ‘case’, in Slim Pickings. This incited me to have a peek at the books of Faith Hunter, as I am a huge fan of C E Murphy.

The first book in the Jane Yellowrock series, Skinwalker was soon ordered and I have read it almost in one sitting, as I enjoyed it so much. It is so exciting to discover a new series (book 2 will be started today and book 3 is winging it’s way to me!)

Jane is a skinwalker, as far as she knows, as she was found wandering at around 12 years of age, with no speech or manners, nothing to indicate where she had come from or from whom. She can however change into any creature, and this gives her the extra edge needed in her job – vampire hunter. She has no memories of her early years, but when she is ‘the beast’ she sometimes feels she is on the edge of a memory, and she really wants to know what and who she is. It is very exciting when near the end of the book, she slowly begins to get more memories.

This novel concerns a job she has taken on in New Orleans for Katherine, one of the oldest  vampires in the area and owner of a bordello. There is a rogue vampire on the loose and they want him caught and disposed of as he is bringing too much attention to the Vampires in the city. The time the novel is set in, vampires are in the open, as are witches (Jane’s best friend is an Earth Witch), but their place in society is still new and uncertain, so they really cannot have a rogue kill both vampires and humans.

We learn about the vampire society, and how it works, the different Houses in New Orleans. She befriends the usual gorgeous guy, but it is nice to have one around, however, Rick is a little more complex than she at first thinks. Jane also strikes up relationships with some of the human servants of the vampires as she begins to gather information to help her to hunt.

I found the characters in this book to be immediately interesting and I wanted to know more about them. I was enthralled when Jane ‘changed’ and the constant battle raged with her and ‘the beast’, and despite a few red herrings I did not guess the outcome. 

I really enjoyed this novel, and I am going straight to book 2, and I shall certainly have a look at her other series. If you have read and loved the novels by C E Murphy, you will love this. If you like the supernatural, vampires, witches, shape shifters, you will love this.

For Better, For Murder by Lisa Bork

Book 1 in the Broken Vows Mystery Series

I decided to buy this book when I read about it in the author's Goodreads page. I do like a nice uncomplicated easy to read, really nice book from time to time, kind of cleansing after blood and guts, or vampires and other supernatural beings.

So when I woke up at 3.35 this morning, and unable to go to sleep, finished the book I was reading (vampire) then, as I was still awake and not at all sleepy, I went in search of something appealing, and came across this book. I settled with a coffee, wrapped up as it was pretty chilly, and started.

I so enjoyed this book, from page 1 I knew I would enjoy the writing, it was easy and just flowed, and as the story unfolded, I was just hooked. I finished the book in the one sitting, and felt upset when it ended! 

The story was set in a small town in USA, Finger Lakes, the main characters are Jolene and Ray. Jolene runs a car sales business dealing with top end, exotic cars; and Ray her not quite ex-husband who is a Deputy. There follows murder, entwined with a maybe love story and possible bankruptcy, mixed with a needy, confused relative, and crossed wires, all adding up to an exciting, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable book.

I immediately went to Amazon to look at book 2 in the series, and to my utter delight discovered I had bought it too! So now that I have located it, and am about to settle down to read it, but I’ll just check to see if book 3 is out yet!!

Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer

 This is the 1^st in the Stella Mayweather series.

Stella has lived a life in and out of foster homes, as she lost he parents at a young age. This lack of any kind of a settled life continued as she worked as a temp in various offices, until the night she realised she was being followed as she walked home from work in London.

Stella hadn’t given it much thought, but she was aware she felt there was something a little strange about her, odd incidents had happened throughout her life, like when she was annoyed at a work colleague and thought how good it would be if a book case fell on him, and it did!

However, finding herself in the quiet streets with a gang all dressed alike and in black and faces covered and obviously after her, made her a little worried. They were crying out to her they wanted to ‘burn the witch,’ and after a near miss, she manages to get back to her bedsit, where she keeps the lights off but turns her TV on to hear the latest story about women being caught, tortured then burn alive as witches, by the ‘Brotherhood.’ 

Shortly afterwards she hears a pounding on her door, and a voice asking for Stella, the person says her name is Etoile, Stella refuses to let her in, but looking out her spyhole sees her disappear and then she reappears in her flat!!

Etoile explains ‘they’ have been watching her and they need to leave now so she can get her somewhere safe. As the sinister gang have arrived they have to do a quick escape, and then they are boarding a plane for New York. Stella is somewhat shell-shocked and confused, by the events of the last few hours, but as she has nothing holding her in London, and she is very aware that the gang are out to kill her, she is content to go along with Etoile.

They arrive at a very expensive home in New York, where she is introduced to her history, which is that she is the daughter of 2 witches, and so is one also. She is to meet with the Council of Witches so they can decide how to proceed, to decide her future safety.

This is the basis of the story, there are threats, and attacks, and of course we learn more about Stella’s background, her powers, who can and who can’t be trusted. There were twists and turns, as you would expect, but all great fun.

I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read, it was fast, and there was even romance there. I have already bought the 2^nd book on Kindle, as I found I really wanted to know how she does after the ending of book 1.

Madeleine Wickham AKA Sophie Kinsella Swimming Pool Sunday

Madeleine Wickham : Swimming Pool Sunday (Sophie Kinsella)

While I enjoyed this book, I felt a little cheated when I found it is a re-issued book. It was not obvious to me, but when I was reading about costs of houses and similar, I was a bit taken aback, then looked closely and find it was published in 1997, then re printed this year.

That aside, it was a pleasant book which I did enjoy reading. There were no surprises, as the story was very straight forward; Louise and Barnaby live in a small village, they have 2 daughters, but there are problems  in their marriage and they have split. A couple in the village have a swimming pool and every year they open their garden and pool to the village for an entrance fee for charity. This year there is a terrible ‘accident’, and the bulk of the book is how this is dealt with by the parents, the village, the owners of the house with the pool, and the lawyers.

It does make you think, and the book is a light read so the dilemma is also fairly lightweight, but it does show up how these situations can affect all parties involved and can create even more distress. It also leaves a nasty taste as it shows the way we are all so ready to sue other people, and how you really need to think hard and investigate your liability if you are going to host any sort of gathering. What happens if there is an ‘accident’. Does your insurance cover it? Pretty frightening to think of how easy this kind of incident can occur. 

Dark Wear by Tabitca Cope

For those of us who waited impatiently for this the second book in the Dark Trilogy, it was worth the relatively short wait!

I so enjoyed catching up with the “gang again.” It’s a lovely feeling when they are all familiar to you, and you are eager to find out what  has happened and what is about to happen (well it’s a book so there has to be something about to happen!)

The story is a good one, and it builds slowly and firmly towards an explosive ending. You will not be disappointed, between witches, the Fifth Reich, Big Animals and even bigger “creatures.” I was frightened, I laughed out loud and I did have a wee cry during this book. I do not hesitate to recommend it, there is something in it for everyone.   A Darned good Yarn!

The Arranger by L J Sellers

I decided to start reading this e book last night, and as soon as I started I knew I was hooked. I knew I was in for a long night and I was right.

The hero of the hour is Lara, she was a police officer for 16 years and is now a freelance paramedic, the year is 2023 and she is  to take part in the  annual contest “The Gauntlet”. As Lara is female and the oldest competitor, she is not ranking too highly, but she knows she has put the work in and has the experience behind her. The day before she is due to travel to the contest, and when on a call out, she is shot at as she arrives on the scene, on entering the property she find the Federal Employment Commissioner alive but with a large bullet hole in his shoulder!

When Lara arrives at the competition site, she is taken aback to spot the shooter, and wanders if he has followed her to the competition to finish the job……… And then the action really starts with Lara taking part in the gruelling competition - which needs all of her wits, intelligence as well as strength and stamina - dealing with the other competitors, murder and mayhem with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

At the same time, we are reading about events taking place months ago from a seemingly unrelated story, we actually bob back and forth between the here and now to the past as it all comes together in an explosive ending.

Nothing has been said if there will be more novels with Lara, can I request, pretty please, that there be more, I finished reading the book and wanted more, that says it all for me.

The Accident by Linwood Barclay

As I started reading this book in the early hours of a Saturday morning, I managed to read it all in the one day.

I loved the first couple of books by Linwood Barclay, fast and furious action right from the word go, but I had started to feel it to be a bit too much of a safe formula. However I still bought this new book as soon as I saw it.

It was still fast and furious, and I did quite enjoy it, and the constant trying to guess who the bad guys were, and there was the usual twist –  sting in the tail. However, I just felt almost like he was asked to write a thriller novel about knock off selling. To almost show his readers what is behind buying the odd knock off DVD, or handbags or medicines.

So although I enjoyed the book, and read it in the one day, that was because it was a Saturday and I had all day, it was an easy read plus I did quite want to find out who were the baddies. It was ultimately a little disappointing, I was left dissatisfied. 

The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg

I bought this e book after hearing one of my Twitter pals commenting on how much she was enjoying reading it (LettyP1). I got this novel and book of the series on Kindle as a compilation was on offer, and I have so far read the first one, The Ice Princess.

I found this to be one of those novels that starts off slowly, a body is found frozen on the bath – hence the title – and we gradually get to know the people involved. I could compare it to an Agatha Christie novel, only with unpronounceable names and lots of snow. Mainly because the more you find out - the more confusing it becomes. Just when you think you have figured out one secret, another pops up and you realise how wrong you were!

Then there is a second murder, or is it? The plot gets more and more complex as more layers are uncovered, as Patrik investigates. Patrik has lived in this small town all his life, and on joining the police force had anticipated more small time criminal behaviour, it was therefore with a degree of trepidation, mixed with excitement at being involved in the investigation of a murder. He knows all the people involved, to one degree or another, including Erica who was one of the first people brought to the scene of the murder. She was best friends with the “Ice Princess, Alex” when they were young girls till Alex’s family suddenly upped sticks and moved away. She was also the subject of Patrik’s adoration at that time, though she was unaware of it.

Erica is living in her family home, as her parents had been killed in a car crash recently and she has moved back for the funerals and to deal with the legalities. So as well as the murder(s), we have Erica and Patrik getting to know each other again, and the problems Erica is having with her bullying brother in law who wants her out of the house and it sold so he can get his hands on half its value.

As Erica is an author, mainly in biographies, she is used to investigating and gathering information, so the two, at times separately, at times together look into Alex’s life as her family had left the town suddenly when they were around 10 years old, and that was when they had lost touch with each other.

I found this not to be a page turner, in the sense of gripping excitement, however it was a page turner in the sense of wanting to know what on earth is going on and why. It was gentle book, which I really enjoyed; it shows that you don’t have lots of bad language and blood & guts to create tension and excitement. I accept that it won’t appeal to some people because of that, but there is room for all and this is a class act of its type. I am certainly looking forward to starting on book 2, The Preacher.

Where The Truth Lies by Julie Corbin

I must start with a warning, do not on any account start reading this book unless you have a few hours free. You immediately find yourself in the middle of a dramatic situation and the pace never halts, not for a minute, and it is impossible to stop reading. I made the mistake of starting this book during the wee small hours when I was unable to sleep – mistake, I got no sleep!

Claire’s young daughter is having a birthday party and appears to go missing. While Claire is concerned, her husband Jules overreacts, and she sees in his eyes that he is desperately worried. Bea turns up safely, but in that time, Claire knows there is something major going on with her husband, something she has no idea about to have made him react the way he did. Jules is off on business for a couple of days immediately after the incident, so Claire is unable to talk to him about it.

Jules is a lawyer and is currently working on the prosecution of a very bad man, a vicious man he has been trying to get behind bars for 20 years, Claire, used to be a lawyer before she decided to become a stay at home mum and move to Brighton. All her skills in investigation come to the fore when she decides to try to discover what is going on, and what she finds frightens her to her core. Her family is in danger and she will not sit by relying on others to deal with their situation.

This is fast, frightening and exciting. I really enjoyed the book and I was left breathless by the end, I felt I had been on such a journey with this family. How in one day a seemingly quiet ordinary family could suddenly be in danger of being torn apart, how every person in their lives has to be considered suspect until proven otherwise.

This is the 2^nd novel by Julie Corbin, I enjoyed her first one, and I shall certainly be waiting impatiently for her third. Highly recommended.

Fallen by Karin Slaughter

This is the 3^rd novel in the Georgia Series, by Karin Slaughter. Her 1sr series Grant County were about Dr Sarah Linton, and her husband, police Chief Jeffrey Tolliver. She then moved on to the 2 books about Will Trent, then the Georgia series in which the two previous series overlap. So I am pretty familiar with the main players when I start this book.

The book begins explosively, you are right there involved with the situation and holding your breath from the start, when Special Agent Faith Mitchell of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, arrives at her mother’s house to pick up her baby daughter. There she finds, bodies, blood and chaos, the entire house has been torn apart and destroyed. Faith finds two men still alive in the house, however there is no sign of her mother, Evelyn, who is an x Atlanta Police Chief. With the help of Will Trent (her work partner), Dr Sarah Linton and Amanda Wagner (Will and Faiths boss), they set out to find Evelyn.

They need to figure out what has happened and why, before they have a chance to find her. There appears to be a strong drug connection with the bodies they find at the house, and there is history between Will and Evelyn, as he investigated her old drug squad and they all ended up in jail except for Evelyn herself. Will is still unsure about her innocence in this matter, and this is a potential stumbling block, however Amanda, his boss, is her best friend, but plays her cards close to her chest.

The action is fast paced, as we all try to figure out what is happening and why, the story gets more and more confusing as nothing seems to make any sense. There is also some more personal issues going on in the background, some of which we are already aware of from previous books.

I would say that if you have read her previous books, you will not be disappointed, if you haven’t, and you enjoy a good police thriller, I would highly recommend the entire series. I am certainly waiting for the next one!

Picture Her Dead By Lin Anderson

  

This is the latest book in the series about Dr Rhona MacLeod, forensic scientist in Glasgow.

The book begins with the disappearance of a film student, Jude, while looking at old cinemas in the city. She is a friend of Rhona’s newly discovered son, who contacts her for help.  While looking into this case, she discovers more than any of them had anticipated, and the case takes on a new twist. Then she hears from an old colleague, and an old case resurrects its self.  The result is fast packed action with both cases, a race against time, dealing with unpleasant colleagues, and dealing with her past. We have the professional Doctor and the vulnerable woman, can you be too close to a case to see properly what is happening?

As usual I found the novel extremely irritating. Irritating because I was unable to simply sit down and read it all in the one go, I had to put it down from time to time to do other things, and would then be impatient to get back to it. You want to know how it all ends up, but don’t want the book to finish.

I so love when following a really good series of books, you get the latest one,  always with a little trepidation in case you are let down. But you start reading this book and remember the people and what has happened in previous books so clearly, and you realise that it has kept up the same high standards, it hasn’t slowed down or lost its edge at all, it’s is just fantastic!

If you haven’t yet discovered Lin Anderson and her creation Dr Rhona MacLeod………..Why not!!!!!!!!

Spirit Dances by C E Murphy

This book 6 of the Walker Papers; Seattle Detective Joanne Walker is a Shaman, and in the previous books we have travelled with her as she discovers this fact, and seen how she learned how to use her abilities. We have enjoyed getting to know her partner Billy who can see and communicate with certain ghosts, and her boss Captain Michael Morrison. 

This book begins with Joanne and Billy on a call out which results in Joanne having to shoot a woman in order to stop her killing Billy. Although there was no problem with the shooting, she has to go on 3 days leave while it is investigated. During this time she is given tickets to see a Native American dance group and she ends up taking Morrison. As could be expected it proved to be an interesting evening and the start of the main action of the book.

We move into new territory in this book with shapeshifting, Joanne actually begins to turn into a coyote during the concert, which does startle Morrison somewhat, but he handles it well! However when the last dancer drops dead, Joanne is unable to heal her, and then her heart starts to disintegrate in her chest, it become clear there is a strong magical presence and it is dangerous. The hunt is on. 

I love the way she evolves in each book as she becomes more familiar with her powers, and as her powers themselves evolve. There is all the excitement and action to be expected and the humour as always. There is a little case of the - will they won’t they - going on just for added interest.

It is a terrific series, and this is a terrific book, and I did read the last page with a great big gasp, my only question when is number 7 out?????

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

This book is both the story of Edie in the present and her mother in the past and their relationship with the 3 sisters living in Milderhurst Castle.

Edie’s mother was evacuated there during the war and lived with the sisters and their father till she was forced back to London. The book is basically about Edie unravelling the story of her mother, and getting to know the woman she has only ever known as a private and distant person.

I found it to be an atmospheric book, I wanted to go and visit the castle and feel what was described and meet the sisters. There were twists in the story as it unravelled, although to be honest I had guessed most of the story, I still enjoyed reading the book and seeing if I was right!

This isn’t a great book, but a very pleasant, good read.

Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

This book really appealed to me as I enjoy books with a supernatural twist, and reading about the story felt it would be a good big book to get lost in.

The story revolves around Evangeline, who was abandoned on the steps of the St Rose Convent. While working there, and after a visit from a stranger looking for access to their library, she finds letters which uncover secrets to do with the her family and what sounds like bodies of angels found in a cave in the Bulgarian mountains.

One of the elderly nuns in the convent is able to tell her part of the secret, as she discovers that she has found the letters, and tells her of her experiences when she was young.

We also discover there are angels living alongside us, they simply have their wings tied back, and they have been both living and breeding with humans, creating a hybrid and there are some of them coming down with a strange disease. We also have a lengthy description of angels and the different types there are etc.

I started off intrigued by the prospect, but I must admit to losing interest and feeling there was a great chunk of the book that I found to be tedious and becoming like a history lesson. I persevered to the end, to find out how the story went, but it was, for me, a great disappointment. 

Annette Blair Skirting the Grave, book 4 of the Vintage Magic Mystery

I have read the first 3 books of this series, about Maddie who returns home to Mystic Falls to run her own Vintage clothes shop, called Vintage Magic. In the shop, which was previously a funeral home carriage house, there is a resident ghost, whom she can see and chat to. She can also tell the history of a garment when she touches it. 

She has her best friend Eve, her on/off boyfriend Nick (FBI agent) and Detective Sergeant Lytton Werner (because she always finds herself in the middle of trouble) Maddie has also discovered that her mother was a witch.

In this book, Maddie’s sister Brandy is  coming home to host a huge fund raiser, but making Maddie do all the work, at the same time she coerces Maddie into taking on a temp intern to learn her trade.

As usual there is a murder, plenty of twists and turns, mystery and mayhem. So if you enjoy a supernatural mystery with some romance thrown in, you will love this, I enjoy her easy style of writing and will be ready when book 5 comes out

Truth Seeker by C E Murphy

I will start by saying I absolutely love the Walker Papers series, and I have read the 1^st of the Negotiator Trilogy, and looking forward to the next 2, which I have in the TBR pile, so I started this book with anticipation.

I admit that at the beginning I was almost going to give up as I have so many books in the TBR pile and in my Kindle, but I decided to keep on with it. The basic story is that Lara, who lives in Boston and is quiet intense sort of person, is out with her friend Kelly, who is quite extrovert and determined to get Lara to meet men. They bump into a local TV news weather man, along with his camera man and Kelly organises that they all meet later. We also discover that Lara has an ability to know when anyone is not telling the truth, she senses lies, also she can only tell the truth.

They go out for dinner and Lara is aware that although the weatherman, David, is telling the truth, there is something not quite right about him. Well there is, he is a fairy and is accused of murdering his brother in their own world, The Barrow-Land. He has been looking for a Truth Seeker to take home to help him discover what really happened to his brother. Having observed Lara he knows that she is a Truth Seeker and he needs her help, desperately.

Our heroine goes back to the Barrow- Lands with David to try and help him prove his innocence, and she finds lots to deal with there, from attacking bat like creatures, to a blind old soothsayer, to learning more about her skills, and eventually ending up in a war and captured by the enemy!

Our Lara manages to get back to Earth where she finds an another fine mess to try and sort out, she has been away for a day or so, yet on Earth she has been missing for 17 months! Also some of the creatures she met in the Barrow-lands arrive here too! Much action as we get near the finale, all good stuff, then find…….to be continued in the next, and last book.

I have the book on my wish list and will be buying it as soon as it is released!! This was an easy enjoyable read, my problem at the start, with hind sight, I realise was simply because I wanted it to be a Walker Papers book…………

The Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine

I have been reading this series since the start, but I had 2 books; Fade Out (book 7) and Kiss of death (book 8) in my TBR pile, however, as I had been reading a lot of supernatural books, had decided on a break. Once I got back on the wagon, as it were, I  read both of these, one after the other. So glad I did as I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the series. Despite the fact that the main characters are so young!
Morganville is a town created by and run by vampires, all non vampires have to have a vampire protector or else they are open to attack by any of the vampire population. Also if you want to leave - you can’t! It also make going out after dark a dangerous thing to do.
In the Glass house in Morganville, lives Claire, a non vampire (it has been her story we have been following) her friend Eve who is a Goth, Eve’s boyfriend Michael (who was a ghost now a vampire - long story) and Shane, Claire’s boyfriend.
I would suggest starting at the beginning of the series, to follow the entire story from Claire’s arrival in Morganville to date. The story has been thrilling and frightening, with all sorts of twists and turns. Though book 8  has an interesting twist as the 4 main people, are granted permission by the vampire council to leave the town for a few days for Michael to record some of his music. They set off, with a vampire escort. For those born in Morganville this is a first time out in the ordinary world......
If you enjoy a good vampire romp, you should give this series a go, I went and ordered the next 2 books immediately I finished these

The Radleys by Matt Haig

On deciding to have a look at the books being reviewed on the TV Book Club, I saw this book and on reading the description, found I was intrigued.

This is a vampire story, but for a change not all about the angst of  teenagers. The family, the Radleys, mum and dad with teenage son & daughter, are just living  normal if somewhat boring lives in their small village. The kids having a hard time at school, the father a local GP and mum a housewife. However, the parents are actually vampires who have made the decision not to be practising vampires, and the teens don't yet know.

All this is, of course, about to change, as in one moment in time the daughter discovers what she really is capable of. We then go on the journey of how they tell their children what they are and what it means. A long missing relative visits and all sorts of memories and feeling are stirred up for the couple, and as will happen in a book, matters come to a head and decisions have to made.

I don't want to spoil any more of the story, but I will say that I really enjoyed the book, it was all about vampires, which I love, but with a difference. There were teen vamps but the book was not all about them, there was plenty of more adult themes and concerns. Because of this I would recommend this book, in particular, to any one who enjoys vampire books, but who is getting a bit tired of the young age of all the main characters.

I will watch the episode when this book is discussed with interest, and investigate other books by Matt Haig

Dark Ness by Tabitca Cope - first of the Dark Trilogy

Laura, a middle aged, overweight, academic, comes into an unexpected inheritance. As she is enthralled with the legends of Merlin and believes there is a chance he spent time in Scotland around the Loch Ness area, she decides to use the money to fund further research by leaving her job and moving to Loch Ness. Her daughter who is at university backs her project so off she sets.

On arrival at the wee cottage she has rented, she discovers there are a couple of groups of university people doing different studies in the area. In one group is an old friend, John, with whom she soon ends up in cahoots as strange things and strange people are spotted.

Being an outsider in the village, she soon comes to the attention of the local Laird, Henry, who lives in the Big House and has an extensive library which he makes available to her. And then more strange and disturbing events occur and you are drawn into the murder, mystery, myth, or is it magic???

I loved the book and could not put it down. I enjoyed having a main character who is nearer my own age, I enjoyed the story being set in Scotland (obviously) and I just found it to be so easy to read, from paragraph 1 of chapter 2, I was in that village with them and living the story. (chapter 1 was setting the scene from the past!!) It was one of those books you can’t stop reading, but don’t want it to end…….. Now Tabitca, please hurry up with book 2!!!!!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

After reading the blog by Pixie @The Bookaholic on her favourite books of 2011 so far, I found several of them to be exciting sounding, and right up my street. I got three of them on Kindle and 1 not on kindle is winging its way to me.

I started on this book yesterday, feeling quite excited, however when I started reading I felt a bit disappointed and was tempted to put it aside. Firstly because it felt a bit too much science fantasy and the main characters too young. However, feeling confident in Pixie’s recommendation I persevered.

It is set in a future Chicago where society is divided into 5 factions. Our heroine belongs to the faction, Abnegation, and has reached her 16^th. At this stage the young adults, all on the same day, have to undergo some testing to see which faction they have the strongest tendencies for, and based on that knowledge and their own thoughts, they decide where they will go to spend the rest of their lives.

Our heroine, Beatrice, makes her choice, which entails leaving her peaceful faction for a much livelier one know for its bravery. She has to leave her family behind and set out on the road to a new life, knowing she may never see them again. Her new life is as different to her previous one as could be imagined, and she has a lot of adjustments to make, initiations to get through, new skills to learn, and new people to meet. She meets great new friends, nasty enemies, and even a touch of romance.

The book is fast and exciting and kept me guessing at every stage as I tried to work out what was happening and why, who was genuine and who was not, and most of all where it was all headed. I was sucked right in and found myself picking up my Kindle at every opportunity to just read a bit more………..

I really enjoyed this book, it was one of those books that made you think before you realised you were, it could be accepted as simply a great story or a bit deeper. I loved it, and I will be in the queue for the next book in the series which is out next year.

Thanks Pixie, if I hadn’t read your review I might never have read this book!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

After reading the blog by Pixie @The Bookaholic on her favourite books of 2011 so far, I found several of them to be exciting sounding, and right up my street. I got three of them on Kindle and 1 not on kindle is winging its way to me.

I started on this book yesterday, feeling quite excited, however when I started reading I felt a bit disappointed and was tempted to put it aside. Firstly because it felt a bit too much science fantasy and the main characters too young. However, feeling confident in Pixie’s recommendation I persevered.

It is set in a future Chicago where society is divided into 5 factions. Our heroine belongs to the faction, Abnegation, and has reached her 16th, at which stage all young adults have to choose the faction they wish to belong to.

Our heroine, Beatrice, makes her choice, which means her leaving the peaceful and selfless Abnegation, for Dauntless which is all about bravery. She has to leave her family behind and set out the road to a new life, knowing she may never see them again. Her new life is as different to her previous one as could be imagined, and she has a lot of adjustments to make, initiations to get through, new skills to learn, and new people to meet. She makes new friends and enemies (sometimes not sure which is which), and even a littel romance!
The book is fast and exciting and kept me guessing at every stage as I tried to work out what was happening and why, who was genuine and who was not, and most of all where it was all headed. I was sucked right in and found myself picking up my Kindle at every opportunity to just read a bit more………..

I really enjoyed this book, it was one of those books that made you think before you realised you were, it could be accepted as simply a great story or a bit deeper. I loved it, and I will be in the queue for the next book in the series which is out next year.

Thanks Pixie, if I hadn’t read your review I might never have read this book!

Bloodshot by Cherie Priest

I had picked this book up a couple of times to read it, but each time decided I wasn't in a vampire mood. However, the other day I decided it has been lying around long enough, I had bought it as I read a review of it and it appealed, so time to dive in.

So glad I did, I really enjoyed the book, I liked the character of Raylene, vampire and thief, as well as the various characters she met along the way on the case. The case being a fellow vampire who had been the subject of various experiments leaving him blind, he asked her to investigate the government department responsible for the experiments and find  documentation detailing what exactly had been done to him so he could potentially be treated to regain his eyesight.The charming Ian, persuaded her to take on this very dangerous case, partly because of his charm, and partly because he knew she would be horrified to hear about the abduction of vampires so they could be experimented on.

 Although she is a vampire, there is not a lot of "vampire" activity really, it became more of a conspiracy thriller, of which vampires play a part. It was fast and exciting and the ending leaves it open for more books about Raylene. I hope this is the case are there were several loose ends left in the book on both professional and personal levels.

If there is a follow up book, I will certainly read it.

The Sex Club by L J Sellers

I have just finished this book, the first in the Detective Jackson series, and started on book 2 "Secrets to Die for" - which tells its own story?

The books appealed to me as after I had chatted to the author on Twitter,  I went off to read about her books. On reading the reviews of them, I was fairly certain I would enjoy them so I immediately went to Amazon and downloaded the whole series to my Kindle. I managed to read the 1st book in a very short time as I found myself picking it up at every opportunity, even when I woke up during the night I  reached out for it.... It was easy to read and to follow the story. I like it when there are not too many characters so you don't have to keep trying to remember who they all are!

 To be honest if I hadn't read the review I wouldn't have gone for this book because of the title, I found it a bit off putting. Having read the book, it makes sense, but I didn't care for it and I am just glad I had been directed to these books as I might not have found them on my own.

Detective Jackson, I liked. He was a normal guy with problems, both in the job and at home, and I found him to be very believable, and I cared about him pretty quickly. It was a delicate subject, yet it was handled well, I wont say any more as I don't want to give the plot away, but  I shared the horror with Jackson as he began to realise what was going on and how close to home it might have been.

It was a roller coaster ride, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I am now off for a fresh cup of coffee and continue with book 2, with that lovely feeling of having more waiting to be read!

Dorothy Koomson books

I was going to do a review of the books by Dorothy Koomson, and I had a quick look at them all to remind myself of the stories, and you know I have changed my mind.

I can say so little about the stories, as I see no point in simply telling you what you will later read, and I don't want to spoil anything for you. What I will say, is that I bought the 1st book The Cupid Effect in paperback thinking it would be a light frivolous read.I loved it, and it wasn't the simple frivolous read I thought it was going to be. From then on I bought each book in hardback as I couldn't wait for it to be published in a cheaper form. Each book is different, and I could see in each book the way the author was growing and maturing and the plots stayed fresh and complex and always a surprise.

I loved them, each and every one of them, I cannot recommend them highly enough. Having looked them over I find myself almost ready to read the 1st few again, as it has been some time since I read them originally.

Go on treat yourself to a great read, pick one, any one, and settle down for a quite a wee while as you wont be able to put it down, had a quick look and all on Kindle too.

Blood Faerie by India Drummond

When I saw this book was about the supernatural - faeries - and set in Scotland, it was a must for me! As I started to read the book I did not feel an immediate connection and I was a little concerned that it was going to be a disappointment, but no - by the second chapter I had bonded with the 2 main characters.

I enjoyed the mix of murder mystery with the supernatural and I can see the possibilities for future books in the series. The partnership of exiled faerie with the policeman just discovering his own powers as a Druid, provided an intriguing relationship with plenty of scope to come as his powers are fully discovered and their relationship grows. Will she be accepted back into the fold, will she want to be accepted? How their special bonding develop? Will they become a pairing who will continue to investigate rogues as they can move and live among humans, I cant wait to find out.

I see that India has written other novels, and I will be having a wee peak at them too, after enjoying this book so much. For anyone who enjoys this kind of subject matter I would recommend giving it a go.

Further to my last blog, now to the fiction series

Diana Gabaldon - The Outlander Series

There are currently 7 books in this series, the first is Outlander / Cross Stitch.

The beginning of the whole saga is when Claire Randall and her husband go on holiday to the Scottish Highlands, it is 1946. They have been apart for 6 years because of WW2. Claire was a combat nurse in the war, and they have come away for a 2^nd honeymoon. One day Claire goes out walking and finds a circle of standing stones, and she walks through a space in the circle - but - she comes out the other side in 1743.

She is caught up in the wild and dangerous Highlands of that time, meets Captain Jack Randall (who turns out to be distantly related to her husband and a rather nasty man!). She manages to escape from Black Jack (as he is known ), and winds up with a gang of wild Highlanders also trying to escape him. To enable her to stay with the gang, she must marry one of them - Jamie Fraser.
Thus begins the Saga, the story of Claire and Jamie.

I loved this book, the fact that it is tattered and torn due to the number of people I introduced to Diana Gabaldon is testament to this. There are so many facets to the series; there is the time travel aspect, which is terrific; there is the historical aspect, which is fascinating; and of course - the love story.

I don’t want to say too much more as the books cover a huge period of history, both here and across the world. The changes which are the back drop to the story of Claire and Jamie. Adding into the mix, the many dilemmas Claire has - to hide her true origins - having to figure out what to do when she knows the historical outcome of situations, when she potentially has the influence to make changes.

There’s laughter and tears, horror and joy all mixed in together with the history. I have the stack of books sitting to hand as I long for the right time when I can settle down and read the series. I haven’t read the last 2 books yet as it has been some time since I last read one of the series, and I want to have the time to skim through the first few books to remind me of all the characters. Imagine the joy and excitement of settling down (again) knowing you have all the books to look forward to. Bliss!!

Deric Longden

I asked myself the question, what books would you take with you if you were told you could only keep 1 series. I negotiated with myself and allowed myself 2, one fiction and 1 non -fiction. I must, of course share this with you all. I will start with the non fiction, just because they are to hand.
Without a doubt the series - the biography of Deric Longden- is superb.

I have never, ever laughed till I cried so often, and sobbed out loud to, as with these books. The older ones are showing signs of wear as they have been read so often. 2 of them have been made into films for TV, and were outstanding, but the books are better, just because there is more in them. If you too like cats , you will love their part in his story.

Book 1: Diana’s Story

This is the story of Deric’s first wife Diana, and her falling ill with ME. For those with chronic illness there are many parts of this story you will be able to identify with, I am thinking in particular to the diagnosis process. (must post this on my other blog for this very reason!) Why is any of it funny you might ask, you have to read it to understand. I had many laughs , but I was howling with tears too, and still do every time I read it.

This was the first book to be televised as “Wide Eyed and Legless” with Julie Waters playing Diana, and Jim Broadbent as Deric.

Book 2: Lost for Words

This is the story of Deric’s mother, a “wonderfully endearing, eccentric lady whose passions ranged from pot plants and her beloved pussycats to Buttercup Syrup which she consumed in vast quantities”

I remember reading one part of this book on a bus and embarrassing myself by laughing out loud, I truly could not help myself. This is a really moving story, and tells what it is like for a grown up finding their parent starting on the downward slope where the relationship changes so the child becomes the carer. Don’t forget the tissues.

Also Deric is starting on a new relationship during this period which came with its own complications

This was also made into a film for TV, still called Lost for Words and starred Thora Hird and Pete Postlewaite as the main characters.

　

Book 3 : The Cat Who Came in From The Cold

Deric and Aileen are together and as the title suggests a little cat joined their household. Aileen is registered blind, which will help explain: “ Aileen being Aileen, it was probably inevitable that sooner or later the kitten would be trapped in the refrigerator. And Deric being Deric, the obvious way to thaw him back to life was to make a little coat for him out of a shrunken thermal vest. Thus the cat who came in from the cold got his name - Thermal - and joined the wonderful cast of characters in the ongoing Longden saga”

If you have read the first 2 books and like me become hooked, and love cats , this is seventh heaven, laughing and crying but never bored.



Book 4: I’m a Stranger Here Myself

This book is mainly concerned with the move of the household to Huddersfield. A household including a blind wife and several cats who all have to get to know the new home in their own particular way.

There is also a host of new characters as they settle into their new home, and town. Superb

Book 5: Enough to Make a Cat Laugh

This book is centred round the cats, Thermal, Tigger, Frink and Arthur . If you love cats then you cannot not read this book .Again you do need the tissues for the tears of all kinds.

Book 6: A Play on Words

This is the continuing story of the life and times of Deric and Aileen and the cats, but with the addition of the story of the filming of “Lost for Words”

“ In A Play on Words he describes the unique experience of seeing at close hand his book - and an important part of his own life - turn into a film amid the continuing chaos of his private world. Somehow or other, despite the usual hilarious interruptions, his own brand of literary work gets done, influenced by such matters as rag-and-bone men, the Moscow State Circus and crinkle-cut beetroot - and the usual cast of characters



Book 7: Paws in the Proceedings

As the title suggests this is more cat stories. Funny and sad, as a small gang of cats rules the household one way or another. Every bit as readable as the other books. We are also brought up to date on Deric and Aileen’s life.



These books are a joy, a wonderful story told by a master story teller. Every emotion is there, the most predominant one being laughter. My only warning is if you read any of these books in public, be prepared to laugh…….. loudly, which when you are on your own in a public place does mean you will get some very strange looks, but even with this pre warning you will not be able to stop your self.

I have the books all beside me now, and guess what, yep, going to have to read them yet again. Sometimes, if I am feeling down, I will read one of them just to laugh, to feel joy and lift me up again.









　

Charlaine Harris: The Harper Connelly Series
　
Charlaine Harris has become known by a huge audience because of the True Blood series on TV. I have, and have read, every Sookie Stackhouse book, but she has several other series which are every bit as good.

The Harper Connelly series being one of them. I have and have also read all of this series of 4 books. It is an interesting twist on her tales of the supernatural:

“When she was 15, Harper Connelly was struck by lightning. She’s left with headaches and episodes of muscle weakness. Sometimes her right hand shakes.
And she can find dead people.”

Harper and her stepbrother Tolliver, set off using her skills at finding dead people as a business. He is her manager, she finds the bodies.

Of course if bodies need to be found, the reason is not usually a good one. Often people will try to stop her, by whatever means. Most of her work is found by word of mouth as there are many sceptics out there, at least until they see her in action!

The secondary plot line is to do with the reasons why they are on their own, the family situation they left , and their unconventional relationship.

This is an easy, comfortable read, hugely entertaining, and although not quite a full on “supernatural” story, it obviously is on the periphery.

I would happily recommend this series to anyone, I certainly wait for each new book to be released.

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen




This is a book from Richard and Judy’s Summer Book Club

On reading the blurb on the back this book appealed to me:



“ The Lathams seem to have it all: wealth and a vibrant family life. As Mary Beth Latham contemplates a life built around home, friends and community, she has every reason to feel fulfilled and content.
Then, for one of her sons, a process of unravelling begins. Mary Beth starts to focus on him, only to find that the comfortable life she has spend years carefully constructing is shattered in a single moment………….”

While I didn’t hate this book, I was disappointed. It is difficult to say too much with out giving too much of the story away. Anna Quinlan is described as an author of 5 bestselling novels, so she is obviously successful, but I felt the book just trotted a long at the same pace the whole way through, I was waiting for the build up to whatever was going to shatter her comfortable life, however it arrived and happened and then there was the aftermath all still at the same trot.

I felt cheated, instead of an “Oh my God” it was just an “Oh! So that’s what happens” In honesty I could have put the book down at any point and forgotten to pick it up again and would not have missed it much. It was well written and much of it was enjoyable, I just felt it was missing the build up and the drama I was looking for.

Jackie

21/05/2011
My first Book review