The Book Junkie

8:00 pm 14 August 2016

The Pursuit

The Pursuit is the fifth book in the Fox and O'Hare series by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg and I listened to this one while walking each day. I've really enjoyed this series. It was such a fresh new series when I couldn't get into her Stephanie Plum series anymore. It hasn't been too repetitive and I love how once the two main characters got together, they pretty much stayed together without constantly being torn apart or in a love triangle that never ends. This series is fun and there is a lot of action in addition to the romance part of the story. The minor characters reappear in several books and they are also quite entertaining.

8:00 pm 11 August 2016

Beastly Bones: A Jackaby Novel

Beastly Bones is the sequel to Jackaby by William Ritter and continues to follow Jackaby and his assistant, Abigail Rook as they solve yet another supernatural mystery. While I felt the first book was engaging from the start, this one took a few chapters to get into. However, that being said, once it got going, I fell into it just as I did the first one. It was a lot of fun and I was glad to see Abigail and Charlie meet again. The supernatural aspect of the story always fascinates me and I used to love dragons when I was a kid so the addition of a possible dragon within the mystery was great!

8:00 pm 4 July 2016

Haunted Destiny (Krewe of Hunters)

Heather Graham always satisfies my need for a good ghostly romance. Her Krewe of Hunters series follows a group of gifted FBI agents as they investigate real crimes with paranormal elements. They aren't too deep so they are great for a beach or weekend read.

Haunted Destiny is one of my favorites and I have read A LOT of Heather Graham books. I love the setting of the cruise ship where a serial killer is said to be hiding. The two main characters are the piano bar pianist/singer on the cruise ship and the FBI agent who boards the ship looking for the killer. We meet ship ghosts murdered long ago, sail through a storm where all communication is lost, and follow a list of suspects who could all potentially be the killer. The characters were all likable and I always have fun trying to guess who the killer really is.

8:00 pm 2 July 2016

The Vampire of Blackpool

The Vampire of Blackpool was generously given to me in exchange for an honest review. I like vampire books and I enjoy seeing how different authors create their stories surrounding the vampire/supernatural world. This is a quick read and focuses on an ancient female vampire named Meredith. She considers herself content at the start of the story until one night she meets an intriguing witch and is attacked by a vampire hunter. This night begins her journey to finding the happiness and meaning that she didn't realize she was looking for in her life. The book was engaging but on the shorter side. I think the characters and relationships could have been developed a bit more. However, I very much liked how the author dealt with the vampire hunter in the end. Very creative and I didn't see it coming. I'd actually like to read his story in the future, starting with where this book ended with Meredith as a minor character.

8:00 pm 19 June 2016

Every Exquisite Thing

I'm giving this book 3 stars. Not because it was bad but it just wasn't up to par with what I was expecting from this author. Silver Linings Playbook was one of my favorite books so the bar was high when I started Every Exquisite Thing.

Nanette was perfect as the teen who is emotionally lost and doesn't know how to go about finding out who she is and what path she should take. She rebels which sends her on a downward spiral until she comes pretty close to rock bottom. I was sad for her through most of the book as she made mistake after mistake as she tried to make sense of her life and I was happy to see that she finally made a decision at the end. Even though the reader doesn't really know how things turn out for Nanette, we at least know that she is ready to go in a specific direction.

The book has some good messages. Be yourself, don't conform, learn from failure, turn negative into positive. I just wished it was a bit more upbeat or added some humor. A little too down for me. As a teen angst book, however, it will do very well.

8:00 pm 12 June 2016

Beautiful Lies

This was actually a reread. I first read this book a few years back and really enjoyed it. When I saw that Lisa Unger was coming to by local library, I picked up her new book and went back to reread this one. I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.

8:00 pm 11 June 2016

Untitled

Over the last couple of months, I become slightly obsessed with a series that I had heard a lot about, but just never got around to picking up. My original intention was only to read the first book, Throne of Glass and since my print book TBR list was so long, I grabbed it on Audible and figured I would listen to it on the way to and from work for the next week or so.

Four books and several weeks later...

I have spent more time in my car and walking around the neighborhood in the last month then I have in my house. This is a true fact. I cannot begin to say how sorry I am that I didn't pick this series up sooner and that I have to wait until fall to get my hands on the fifth book. At least I will have something to look forward to when school starts in September and my commute begins again.

I don't want to give away any spoilers for those who haven't read the books but I will say a little bit about the main character, who for the first two books, goes by the name Celaena Sardothien. She is one of the strongest female leads I have read about in a long time. A fierce warrior with a heart of gold who comes from immensely tragic beginnings to learn about who she really is and what her role in the world will be. I can honestly say that there was not one moment in any of these four books where I was disinterested or distracted. There were moments where I gasped in surprised and groaned with realization of what was to come. There were also moments where I smiled at her snarky comments, and almost cried during her moments of heartbreak.

Within these books are intense battles, both of wills and weapons, and whenever one book came to an end, I was immediately on the Audible site buying the next. It is that good. And on a final note, I must also say that the narrator, Elizabeth Evans, is absolutely amazing and makes the listening experience a true pleasure.

8:00 pm 29 May 2016

All of Us and Everything: A Novel

All of Us and Everything was kindly given to me in exchange for an honest review. It was part of our SheReads.org spring book selection. While I had never heard of this author before, the book synopsis was intriguing.

What did I think of the story? I actually really loved the plot idea. A mom who made a decision to be with someone and have children with him when he couldn't truly be part of their lives. The children, growing up without a dad, were told that he couldn't be with them because he was a spy and it would put them all in danger; an outlandish story thought to be a substitution for the truth. The children, all girls, all adults with their lives falling apart in one way or another. After a hurricane in their old hometown, they all return to their mother and finally learn the truth about their father and begin to put themselves right.

I did enjoy the book. I thought that the idea of the father really being a spy was creative and the girl's issues in adulthood were realistic for the most part, if a bit on the depressing side. I loved how the girls came back home as three separate people who wanted nothing to do with one another and ended up on the path to being a true family again, understanding what sisterhood should really be. The addition of Atty, Esme's daughter, showed us how easily our own messed up lives can affect our children. The epilogue gave a glimpse into how each character in the story ended up, even the minor ones, and I felt satisfied knowing they were all looking upward and onward. On the downside, I must admit that I felt the story was missing something. I'm not sure if it flip flopped too much from one character to the next or if everything just fell together too easily. Maybe I thought the father's story should have been more exciting. Something was amiss for me and it took away from my complete investment in the story.

I'd give this one about 3.5 out of 5 stars if I were rating it. As a book about families who have fallen apart and go on a journey to put themselves back together, it was good. I just think it had the potential to have been even better. However, don't knock it until you try it. If you like family drama, you may enjoy this one.

8:00 pm 23 May 2016

Heir of Fire

Over the last couple of months, I become slightly obsessed with a series that I had heard a lot about, but just never got around to picking up. My original intention was only to read the first book, Throne of Glass and since my print book TBR list was so long, I grabbed it on Audible and figured I would listen to it on the way to and from work for the next week or so.

Four books and several weeks later...

I have spent more time in my car and walking around the neighborhood in the last month then I have in my house. This is a true fact. I cannot begin to say how sorry I am that I didn't pick this series up sooner and that I have to wait until fall to get my hands on the fifth book. At least I will have something to look forward to when school starts in September and my commute begins again.

I don't want to give away any spoilers for those who haven't read the books but I will say a little bit about the main character, who for the first two books, goes by the name Celaena Sardothien. She is one of the strongest female leads I have read about in a long time. A fierce warrior with a heart of gold who comes from immensely tragic beginnings to learn about who she really is and what her role in the world will be. I can honestly say that there was not one moment in any of these four books where I was disinterested or distracted. There were moments where I gasped in surprised and groaned with realization of what was to come. There were also moments where I smiled at her snarky comments, and almost cried during her moments of heartbreak.

Within these books are intense battles, both of wills and weapons, and whenever one book came to an end, I was immediately on the Audible site buying the next. It is that good. And on a final note, I must also say that the narrator, Elizabeth Evans, is absolutely amazing and makes the listening experience a true pleasure.

8:00 pm 15 May 2016

Crown of Midnight

Over the last couple of months, I become slightly obsessed with a series that I had heard a lot about, but just never got around to picking up. My original intention was only to read the first book, Throne of Glass and since my print book TBR list was so long, I grabbed it on Audible and figured I would listen to it on the way to and from work for the next week or so.

Four books and several weeks later...

I have spent more time in my car and walking around the neighborhood in the last month then I have in my house. This is a true fact. I cannot begin to say how sorry I am that I didn't pick this series up sooner and that I have to wait until fall to get my hands on the fifth book. At least I will have something to look forward to when school starts in September and my commute begins again.

I don't want to give away any spoilers for those who haven't read the books but I will say a little bit about the main character, who for the first two books, goes by the name Celaena Sardothien. She is one of the strongest female leads I have read about in a long time. A fierce warrior with a heart of gold who comes from immensely tragic beginnings to learn about who she really is and what her role in the world will be. I can honestly say that there was not one moment in any of these four books where I was disinterested or distracted. There were moments where I gasped in surprised and groaned with realization of what was to come. There were also moments where I smiled at her snarky comments, and almost cried during her moments of heartbreak.

Within these books are intense battles, both of wills and weapons, and whenever one book came to an end, I was immediately on the Audible site buying the next. It is that good. And on a final note, I must also say that the narrator, Elizabeth Evans, is absolutely amazing and makes the listening experience a true pleasure.

8:00 pm 11 May 2016

How to Speak Brit: The Quintessential Guide to the King's English, Cockney Slang, and Other Flummoxing British Phrases

It was ok. More of a dictionary and I thought it would be more humorous.

8:00 pm 1 May 2016

The Dirt on Ninth Grave

This is my guilty pleasure series. Whenever a new book comes out in the Charley Davidson series, I have no doubt that I will love it. It's a given. I remember picking up the first book in the series, First Grave on the Right, and wondering if it would be something I would enjoy. I had been reading another series and finally got sick of the repetitiveness of the plot. It just wasn't fun anymore and I was looking for something new. I swear that I read the first chapter and knew that Charley was going to be my new favorite badass heroine. Nine books later, I'm not bored or frustrated and I'm really excited for the tenth story. If you haven't read the series, there might be a bit of spoilage ahead but I'll try not to give too much away.

The Dirt on Ninth Grave finds Charley in Sleepy Hollow, NY with no memory at all. She doesn't know who she is or how she got there. I was hesitant about this at first because there are so many amnesia stories out there but this one was done well. As Charley slowly navigates life in NY, we realize that all of her friends and family are there too, supporting her and waiting patiently for her to remember who, and what, she is. The small cafe where Charley works is a perfect setting for the story and we meet some new characters who may or may not show up again in future books.

Charley was still Charley even without her memory. She was still just a little bit trashy (in a good way), inappropriate, and sassy. She still managed to get herself into trouble on several occasions and frustrate the hell out of her friends with her impulsive nature. There were also still a plethora of departed souls seeking her out, each with their own story, which added to the charm of the book. Add in a slightly unstable police officer/stalker, a few demons from hell, an angel trying to kill her, and her husband, the son of satan himself, and you've got quite a ride from beginning to end. A lot of suspense and a lot of fun with a couple of emotional moments thrown in for good measure. And of course, every chapter begins with a quote from a meme or t-shirt. My favorite from this book is...

“A dyslexic man walks into a bra- T-shirt”

The Dirt on Ninth Grave is another winner by Darynda Jones in my opinion. I finished it this morning and I'm still smiling.

8:00 pm 27 April 2016

A Cold Legacy

The series is over. I've finished all three books and loved each of them. If you haven't heard of these or read my previous reviews on the first two books, you should definitely go back to check them out from the beginning. You can see all three books on Amazon by clicking here.

A Cold Legacy continues the story of Juliet Moreau and her quest to find her true self amidst the chaos that seems to follow her wherever she goes. In this installment, which has a strong tie-in to the story of Frankenstein, Juliet and her friends escape London and hide from the law in the north with Elizabeth, at her estate. What Juliet finds however, is that even here, things are not normal. Elizabeth, it turns out, is related to the original Frankenstein family and holds the only written evidence of re-animation, bringing the dead back to life. This of course, just feeds into Juliet's obsession that she is fated to be just like her father, and her curiosity leads her to places she shouldn't go, even though her friends warn to to stay away. I found myself getting angry at Juliet at times because her inner thinking and decision making was just so frustrating. This happened in the other books too, but it doesn't take away from the quality of the story.

Hemsley is the re-animated child in the story, brought back to life by Elizabeth years ago. He is fascinating to read about and really brings the Frankenstein feel of the story home. His one white eye, inhuman strength, lack of pain, and temper all worked together perfectly to create his persona. I felt both empathy and horror when reading about him.

All of our beloved characters are still with us for this story. Balthasar, Montgomery, Lucy, and Sparky the dog; but I warn you, this is the last book and there is quite a bit of violence and some heartache to be had throughout. That being said, I was satisfied at the end and wouldn't have minded another book to continue the story to see if everyone ended up happy with the choices they made.

Highly recommended if you love horror/romance that brings back pieces of an old classic monster tale. A great series by an author whom I will definitely read again. If you want to know more about the author, Megan Shepherd, click here to visit her website.

Enjoy your reading!

8:00 pm 12 April 2016

Her Dark Curiosity

I think what I love about these books the most is that they each connect to a classic that is reminiscent of my childhood, whether I read the original or saw a film based upon it. The first book, The Madman's Daughter, was loosely based on the story of The Island of Dr. Moreau. The second installment, Her Dark Curiosity, brings what can compare to Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Finally, the conclusion of the series, A Cold Legacy, will connect to the story of Frankenstein. I'm so looking forward to starting it this afternoon. If you haven't read the first book, you may not want to read ahead, although I have done my best not to spoil.

Her Dark Curiosity continues to focus on the life of Juliet Moreau, daughter of the infamous mad scientist Dr. Moreau. She has returned from the island and discovered that she has been followed by Edward, a man she cared very much but who also has a much darker and more dangerous side. The story revolves around Juliet trying to cure him and keep him from the chaos that ensues when he loses control. As the story progresses, a conspiracy is uncovered, other island members return, and Juliet continues to be torn about her own inner self and between the two men in her life. We are introduced to a few new and very well written characters, including Elizabeth, who seems will have a larger roll in the third book, and we also see a just end to a few characters who are quite deserving of their finale (in my opinion anyway). Murder and mayhem are in no short supply and a few disturbingly gory sections had me both amazed and horrified at the same time. I was enthralled each time I listened to the story and I can honestly say that there wasn't one moment where I was bored or distracted. I was so excited as the end approached and I started to figure out which classic story the next book would originate from. Don't read the synopsis on Amazon if you want to figure it out for yourself. It's much more fun that way.

I highly recommend this entire trilogy. Rarely do I come across a series where I can truly say that the second book was as good as the first, if not better. I have high hopes for the third and I am sure I won't be disappointed.

8:00 pm 6 April 2016

When They Come Calling (Anna's Nightmare Series) (Volume 1)

I love books where ghosts are featured so I was immediately attracted to both the cover and the teaser for this story. It was fun and original. I felt like it wasn't something that had already been done over and over. Anna was a strong female lead character who was learning about who she really was and what power she had over the dead. Jed is sent to protect her and guide her as she grows into this new role, which almost seems like a grim reaper of sorts.

The story is paced well, with a lot of action as the ghosts attempt to get what they want, which is Anna. There is also just a hint of a possible future romance between the two main characters. All of the characters were likable. It seems as though there will definitely be a second book to continue the story and I certainly hope that many of the characters introduced in this book, will return for the next.

8:00 pm 2 April 2016

Sister Dear

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. I finished it in one day. I completely felt for Allie from the start of the story. A woman who has spent a decade in prison for a crime she says she didn't commit. Who is released only to find that life on the outside is now extremely difficult, relationships are strained, and her daughter doesn't want to have anything to do with her. She is desperately trying to get her life back but also can't put the past behind her and is determined to clear her name. She is a strong woman in the story but also lonely and vulnerable at times. Once I finished, I felt like I had a little bit more of an understanding of what it must be like to try to get your life back after such a long time gone.

Certain characters are out to get Allie as soon as she returns home and it's easy to see who is trying to hide something right from the start. Not so easy however, to figure out what really happened until the solution is handed to you in the last few chapters of the book. Let's just say that the true nature of certain characters is slowly revealed as the suspense builds. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire last third of the book and found myself talking to the characters at pertinent moments until it ultimately came to a head. I was completely satisfied with the way the author decided to conclude the story and felt really good when I finally closed it at the end.

The book was well paced and hard to put down, even for a few minutes. A great mystery and I rooted for Allie throughout the entire story.