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Monday, September 30, 2013

COVER REVEAL/Giveaway!!! Sentient - Book Two of The Mentalist Series



Title: 
Sentient - Book Two of The Mentalist Series

Book Description:
Mastering her Progressive Empath abilities isn’t going as well as Gemma hoped. In fact, months after finding out what she really is, she still has no clue what this truly means. All she can do is wait to see if any new abilities will eventually manifest. Things aren’t going great with Russ either. Unsure of how to handle her Sentient Link with him, she tries to integrate herself in his busy social life but struggles to adjust to her new circumstances.

When she is plagued by recurring nightmares, Gemma realises things are changing and knows she has to do something, fast. The arrival of two sets of strangers in town, both offering the much needed assistance she needs to unearth her powers, escalates the situation even further. Gemma attempts to decipher whose intentions are genuine, but does she have enough time to figure out who has her best interest at heart?

Genre: 
YA Paranormal Romance

Expected Release Date: 
28th October 2013
(Watch for my upcoming review around the release date too!)

Rafflecopter giveaway: (click link below)
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Goodreads Link for Sentient.


Don't miss the first book in the series either!  Shown below!  Also, linked to the following for easy finding!
Goodreads  Amazon  Barnes and Nobel

Also see my personal review of Aversion by clicking HERE


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Book Review: The Quick and the Thread



Title:  The Quick and the Thread
Author:  Amanda Lee
Pages:  313
Publication Date:  2010
Version:  Paperback 
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"First in a new mystery series that will have readers stitching-and itching for more 

When Marcy Singer opens an embroidery specialty shop in quaint Tallulah Falls, Oregon, she throws a soiree and a Stitch-In. Soon, Marcy's sign- up sheet for embroidery classes fills up and everyone in town seems willing to raise a glass-or a needle-to support the newly-opened Seven Year Stitch.

Then Marcy finds the shop's previous tenant dead in the store-room, a message scratched with a tapestry needle on the wall beside him. Now Marcy's shop has become a crime scene, and she's the prime suspect. She'll have to find the killer before someone puts a final stitch in her."


My Review:

Marcy is on a new adventure in her life...starting her own embroidery shop and moving to a new places.  She is after a fresh start and enjoys the idea of doing a dream of hers and being close to her best friend while doing it.  What she doesn't expect and didn't dream of, was a dead man in her storage room.  The former leaser of her shop came stumbling in to her grand opening party drunk as a skunk and saying he had to tell her something.  She avoided him and then he appeared to have left, so she never gave it another thought.  That is until the late night when she finds him dead in her storeroom and a partial message carved into the wall with a needle.  Now, so she isn't suspect one and only, she is after the truth of it all.  Add to that a second murder, an irate scorned wife, and a temperamental best friend and you have all kinds of mystery and drama.  Can Marcy figure things out before it's too late?  Will she be the next one whose picture is put in the murder folder if she tries to figure it all out?  Sometimes small towns have more secrets than the biggest town does.

I really enjoyed this read.  I found it an easier read and one that just seemed to flow right along like a tube on a river.  I felt relaxed and entertained while reading this book.  I enjoyed the embroidery that was stitched into the book and plot too, being a fellow stitcher myself.  The plot was simple, yet fantastically played out and entertaining.  The characters were absolutely amazing and so realistic and easy to identify with!  I also loved how Marcy brought her dog everywhere.  He was made to sound like such a mainstay that I found myself looking at him as a whole other character to love.  The descriptions in this book really nailed it for me.  Everything was laid out like a great pattern and then as you put the needle to the fabric you saw this great picture come to life.  I would highly recommend this book to any mystery reader.  Even if you are not a stitcher you will enjoy it.  If you are a stitcher you will LOVE it!  A must read!!

5/5 Stars!!!!

The Quick and the Thread (An Embroidery Mystery, #1)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Book Review: Through a Glass, Deadly



Title:  Through a Glass, Deadly
Author:  Sarah Atwell
Pages:  271
Publication Date:  2008
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"Glassblower Emmeline Dowell has made a home for herself among the artists of Tucson's Warehouse District. But her friendship with troubled newcomer Allison McBride takes a dangerous turn when Allison's husband turns up dead in Em's studio. 

Now Emmeline is involved in a murder investigation that reaches beyond the sunny Southwest. And when the killer acts again, it's up to her to pick up the shards of Allison's life before it's too late."


My Review:

Normally I would give a summary in my own words on the book and then my thoughts on it...I just can't do that with this book.  Why you may wonder?  Well, this book was so incredibly simplistic in its plot and how we came from the murder to the solving of the crime, I just can't do it.  This book was an okay read, but it was not one that I loved at all, nor did I come to absolutely love any part of it.  I liked the characters...to a point.  I liked the concept of the plot.  I liked that there was some learning in the midst of the mystery about glass blowing.  I think the thing I came to like the most about this book was the main character Em, she was such a mother hen type and wanted nothing more than to help out strays, be them animals or people.  I did enjoy watching her develop throughout the book.  I just was not sucked in to this book in any way, shape, or form.  I found it to be almost to simplistic in the mystery end of things and solving that mystery.  There were not many twists or turns in the plot/book to keep me wondering and having that "can't wait to pick it up again" feeling.  I stuck with it, pretty much just to read on about Em and see if she went anywhere with her ex, the police chief, again.  The writing was a bit rough around the edges, but being a first book, I could forgive that.  I don't really see myself picking up the next book in the series.  If you are in to soft and simplistic mysteries than this would be the book for you I suppose.  It just didn't do it for me, as a mystery reader who loves lots of action and wonder.

3/5 Stars

Through a Glass, Deadly (A Glassblowing Mystery, #1)

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

M.A.J.I.C. by Katie Mattie Guest Post/Teaser AND Giveaway!

MAJIC COVER OFFICIAL 3

Title: M.A.J.I.C. and the Oracle at Delphi
Author: Katie Mattie

Book Description
Sixteen-year-old Alice Payton and her four best friends are all that stand between the universe and its greatest threat. After centuries of captivity, the Titans have escaped from the underworld and returned to Earth seeking vengeance. Bound by an ancient curse that prevents them from defending the planet, Zeus and the Olympians send their powers to the only beings who can help: Alice and her friends.
With the guidance of the Olympians, Melanie, Alice, Jenn, Izzy and Colleen embark on dangerous journeys through the dimensions of the universe, encountering mythical creatures and legendary lands. Equipped with bravery, wit, and the magic of the gods, they will discover the ancient secrets that hold the keys to defeating the Titans once and for all.


Teaser
The girls found themselves cornered, silver blades poking at their throats. From both sides of the alley groups of knights surrounded them. All of the knights were draped in shimmering armor. One knight directed his horse in front of the teens. He flipped back his helmet revealing his black matted hair and fierce dark eyes. “Who are you and for what have you come?” he asked. “Who the heck are you?” asked Izzy, pushing away the sword pointing at her throat. “Izzy!” Jenn whispered harshly. “I am Sir Mordred, knight of the Round Table. Now, you will state your name and your purpose,” Mordred commanded. Jenn was about to speak, but Izzy cut her off. “Mr. Mordred, if you wouldn’t mind, do ask your knights to lower their weapons. I don’t appreciate their hostility.” Alice rolled her eyes and Colleen looked astonished. Melanie bit her tongue to keep from laughing. “‘Tis Sir Mordred and the blades stay where they are,” said Mordred, his tone bitter. “What is your name?” “Idona,” said Izzy. “Idona Preciate swords being used against my friends or myself!” “Izzy, shut up!” Jenn shrieked. “Your appreciation is not taken into consideration. Say another word other than your name and I shall have you slain,” said Mordred. Jenn looked at Izzy and shook her head, silently pleading for her not to speak. Suddenly, a beautiful black stallion pushed its way through the crowd. The knight who rode it positioned himself next to Mordred, his helmet flipped back. Izzy studied his features. He had brown hair and stunning blue eyes, matching her own baby blues. “There will be no slaying of any kind. What is the issue, Mordred?” asked the knight. “This wicked sorceress will not tell her name,” Mordred growled. “Ah, and what proof do you have that she is a wicked sorceress? Has she told you, or yet, have you seen her wicked ways?” “You witnessed her grand entrance. What else can she be? Having the pleasure to speak with her, I have learned she is nothing but trouble.” “Then you are wicked as well, but you are a knight. Wickedness is not punished by swords. And I’m sure you’ve met Merlin, a family friend who practices spells. He is but a humble man, not a threat,” said the knight. Mordred grimaced. He steered his horse away from the crowd. The unnamed knight dismounted his horse, standing face to face with Izzy. “Lower your weapons,” he commanded. The knights obeyed. Gently, the knight took Izzy’s hand. “I am Sir Lancelot. Who my fair lady, are you?” Izzy nearly fainted. Quickly, she gathered her thoughts and spit out the first thing that came to mind. “Isabel.” “Isabel?” asked Melanie, looking at Colleen. “Who’s Isabel?” Colleen shrugged. “Lady Isabel, ‘tis a pleasure to meet you.” Lancelot bent down and kissed Izzy’s hand.
About The Author
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Katie Mattie grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where she fell in love with writing at a young age. During her sophomore year of high school, she began M.A.J.I.C. and the Oracle at Delphi. In 2010, she was the youngest author ever to be invited to the Ann Arbor Book Festival. Katie has used her talents for inspiration, speaking to young people in Michigan about turning dreams into realities. She is currently a junior at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Film, Television and Theatre. Katie looks forward to the publication of the next two novels in her M.A.J.I.C. trilogy.
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LINK

Friday, September 20, 2013

Book Review: Horton Hears a Who



Title:  Horton Hears A Who
Author:  Dr. Seuss
Pages:  72
Publication Date:  1954
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  Children's Book

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

Join one of the most beloved Dr. Seuss characters in this timeless, moving, and comical classic. Thanks to the irrepressible rhymes and eye-catching illustrations of Dr. Seuss, young readers will learn the importance of kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance from the very determined—and very endearing—Horton the Elephant.

My Review:

Horton is an elephant with such big ears they can hear anything.  One morning he hears a voice from a clover and he vows to protect it and the people on it.  Others can't hear the Whos, but Horton can and is determined not to let harm come to the dust speck holding the Who people.  The other jungle animals think he has lost his mind and try to destroy the clover with the speck on it because they think no one could possibly live on it.  Can Horton think of some way to make the Whos be heard?  Will the Whos be able to make enough noise to burst through the sound barrier that prevents the other animals from hearing them before they are destroyed?

I have always loved Dr. Seuss and all his books.  This one is one of my absolute favorites, behind How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I have read this book more times than I can count from my childhood up until now, when I read it to my own child.  This is such a classic that is fun to read, the pictures are amazing, the characters fantastic, and it is topped off with a lesson in the story too.  Nothing can beat a Dr. Seuss book and this one is the frosting on the cake!  This is a must read book for any child or adult looking for a fun read that will make them laugh and have a great reading experience!

5/5 Stars!!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Book Review: The Neverending Story



Title:  The Neverending Story
Author:  Michael Ende
Pages:  396
Publication Date:  1979
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  Children's/Young Adult Fantasy Book


Summary Via Goodreads.com:

This epic work of the imagination has captured the hearts of millions of readers worldwide since it was first published more than a decade ago. Its special story within a story is an irresistible invitation for readers to become part of the book itself. And now this modern classic and bibliophile's dream is available in hardcover again.

The story begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the beautiful but doomed world of Fantastica. Only a human can save this enchanted place - by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower leads through lands of dragons, giants, monsters, and magic - and once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the mysteries of his own heart.

Readers, too, can travel to the wonderous, unforgettable world of Fantastica if they will just turn the page...


My Review:

Bastian is a small boy who has some big problems.  He is bullied, picked on, his Mom recently died, and his Dad never seems to care.  When he hides in a bookstore to escape a morning of bullying he finds himself stealing a book that he has never read because it looks interesting.  Soon he is in hiding in the school's attic reading a book that transports him away from all his troubles...literally.  He is reading about a land that is full of dreams, dragons, giants rock men, other monsters, and much magic.  Will the lands empress be able to survive her illness that has her on deaths door?  Bastian soon discovers he has more control over that outcome than he could ever imagine.  Can Bastian help this fantasy land stay strong and survive?

This is a book like no other.  It is full of fun fantasy, great fantasy characters, and lots of action.  I think it became a classic because it was the first of it's kind.  A book about a boy reading a book that comes to life for him, so much like the book itself the readers are reading.  It was a a whole new spin on action and fantasy.  The characters were fun to "meet" and picture in my head and I came to like them very much.  I also enjoyed the plot and the concept behind the whole book.  It was a pretty good read.  Surprisingly, I had never read this book before now nor had I ever seen the movie based on this book.  At times I was a bit lost or had a hard time following some things, but found it was okay once I continued reading on a bit.  Some of the book was a bit slow moving too, I felt it could have moved at a bit quicker pace than it did.  I can't say as it will be in my list of favorite classic books, but it was a really good and interesting read none the less.  I would recommend it.  

4/5 Stars

The Neverending Story

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Book Review: Finger Lickin' Dead



Title:  Finger Lickin' Dead
Author:  Riley Adams
Pages:  250
Publication Date:  2011
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"When an anonymous food critic blasts several local restaurants- including Aunt Pat's-Lulu Taylor and her customers are biting mad, especially when they learn that Eppie Currian is the pen name of their friend Evelyn's cheating boyfriend. When "Eppie" gets his own fatal review, the list of suspects is longer than the list of specials at the best BBQ place in Memphis."

My Review:

Once again Aunt Pat's BBQ restaurant is under a critical eye, this time by an anonymous food critic.  Soon there is nothing but bad reviews flying around town and Lulu and her family are not happy one bit about it.  They get even more spitting mad when they find out who the "anonymous" critic is...a no good cheating boyfriend of Evelyn's.  Soon this same man they were all spitting mad at is found dead and once again suspicion clouds the air of Aunt Pat's.  Sure, he wasn't liked, but who would hate him enough to kill him?  More people than you may think that's who.  Will Lulu be able to sift through the clues to find the truth of the matter?  Does she really want to?  

I must say I think I liked the first book better in this series.  This one was good, but I didn't think it was quite as good as the first one.  It was a quick and easy read that I did enjoy though.  The characters, once again, were my favorite part and a part that I could relate to at times also.  They just are such great characters who are so well developed that you can't help but love them and want to read on to see what they do.  The setting was once again a really soothing part of the book, being set in the south with a hospitable feel to it.  Adams did a good job once again with the pace of the book, being that it had no lull points and was never a "chore" to read.  This book was full of great sounding food, so well described you could almost smell it while reading...which made me hungry at times, not a bad thing though.  The plot, characters, food, mystery, and everything in between was simply fantastic.  I would recommend this book, as well as the first book in the series, as I loved that one too.

4/5 Stars!

Finger Lickin' Dead (A Memphis BBQ Mystery #2)

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Book Review: Delicious and Suspicious



Title:  Delicious and Suspicious 
Author:  Riley Adams
Pages:  269
Publication Date:  2010
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"Welcome to Aunt Pat's barbecue restaurant, which serves up Memphis fun with a side order of murder.

Named in honor of Lulu Taylor's great aunt, Aunt Pat's family-run Memphis restaurant is known for its ribs and spicy cornbread. But now the Taylor family will be known for murder...

Rebecca Adrian came to Memphis to suss out the best local BBQ for a prominent Cooking Channel Show. Trouble is, a mystery ingredient has killed her-and now all fingers are pointing to Aunt Pat's restaurant. Horrified that her family is being accused of murder, Lulu fires up her investigative skills to solve the crime before someone else gets skewered."


My Review:

Aunt Pat's is the place to be, it has the best people and BBQ around.  This all may change though when a wicked cooking channel woman comes to town to evaluate the BBQ for the best around.  Rebecca is not only up on her high horse of being a "big tv star", but she also is rude and just so happens to know some deep secrets about one of the owner's sons.  When Rebecca is found dead by, what looks to be, poison there aren't too many people crying over their soup about it.  The thing that does get everyone's attention is the fact that Lulu, the owner of Aunt Pat's, is a main suspect because Rebecca died shortly after eating at Aunt Pat's.  Lulu knows she didn't do it, so is determined to figure out who did.  In the meantime though, she learns that everyone around her seems to be holding onto secrets.  Will she figure out who really killed Rebecca?  Will she see sides of those she thought she knew that are not very flattery?  No one she knows could possibly have killed a woman, no matter how mean she was....could they?

This book reminded me of the TV show on the ID channel, Southern Fried Homicide.  It has all the southern charm, kindness, and good food with a touch of mystery, mayhem, and murder.  I thought the book was quite good, it had a steady pace and was very descriptive.  I could see it all playing out in my head as if I was watching it on the big screen.  The setting was great and the characters were just to die for!  I fell in love with the characters in a very short time and only came to love them more, the more I read of the book.  The humor in the book was great too!  I, many times, would be reading and burst out laughing...much to the surprise of those around me.  I have to share the one part where I just couldn't stop laughing.  One of the women characters in this book has a cat and she named it Dammit.  I loved it!  They went on to joke how she just wanted to be able to say, here kitty kitty...come here Dammit.  I laughed so hard my husband thought I had lost my mind I think.  This was just one of the many tidbits of humor that laced this book.  Adams is a great author that knows just when to add humor and when to have a serious moment too.  There were so many suspects in this book that I just kept bouncing around with my opinions of who did it like a ball in a pinball machine.  I would highly recommend this book!  It is full of everything you want out of a book and more!

5/5 Stars!

Delicious and Suspicious (A Memphis BBQ Mystery #1)

Friday, September 13, 2013

Book Review: If Books Could Kill



Title:  If Books Could Kill
Author:  Kate Carlisle 
Pages:  280
Publication Date:  2010
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"Murder is easy-on paper. 

Book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright is attending the world- renowned Book Fair when her ex Kyle shows up with a bombshell. He has an original copy of a scandalous text that could change history-and humiliate the beloved British monarchy.

When Kyle turns up dead, the police are convinced Brooklyn's the culprit. But with an entire convention of suspects, Brooklyn's conducting her own investigation to find out if the motive for murder was a 200-year-old secret-or something much more personal."


My Review:

When attending a Book Fair Brooklyn soon finds herself in a pickle once again.  Murdered people she knows seem to be following Brooklyn no matter where she goes.  Brooklyn is once again seen as the main suspect when her ex turns up dead at the Book Fair.  Kyle had a text that could have changed many things in the way history was seen in the eyes of the British.  Would someone really kill him over something that contained a 200 year old secret?  Who did Kyle make mad enough to kill him?  How will Brooklyn get herself out of this jam and also help find the real killer?  Will the killer come after her for trying to solve the mystery?

Not going to lie, I went into this book with a so-so attitude.  The first book in this series left a bad taste in my mouth, so I was unsure if I wanted to read on in the series.  Sadly, I was again disappointed for the most part.  The plot was okay, but the writing style just was not for me.  This made it a hard book to read, much less get in to and excited about reading for me.  The setting and descriptions were nice, but seemed to draw out at times.  Even the characters started to annoy me in this book, where as in the first book I enjoyed them.  I did manage to get through this read, hoping it would get better like the first book did, but to no avail.  It didn't really get to that point of me saying, yup glad I stuck it out.  I think it may have been me, personally, though because as I stated before, I did not care that much for the first book.  I read on because sometimes the first book of a series is iffy, but the next one can be amazing because things are now set up for the background of it all.  Not a book for me, sadly.

3/5 Stars

If Books Could Kill (A Bibliophile Mystery, #2)

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Book Review: Homicide in Hardcover



Title:  Homicide in Hardcover 
Author:  Kate Carlisle
Pages:  289
Publication Date:  2009
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"murder is always a bestseller...

first in the new bibliophile mystery series!


The streets of San Francisco would be lined with hardcovers if rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright had her way. And her mentor wouldn't be lying in a pool of his own blood on the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration.

With his final breath he leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, and gives her a priceless and supposedly cursed copy of Goethe's Faust for safekeeping.

Brooklyn suddenly finds herself accused of murder and theft, thanks to the humorless, but attractive, British security officer who finds her kneeling over the body. Now she has to read the clues left behind by her mentor if she is going to restore justice…"


My Review:

Brooklyn has always admired and looked up to her mentor, Abraham.  When they part on not so great terms it is devastating to her, but when she gets an invite to a really big event that he is part of she takes it as a sign that their relationship may be on the road to forgiveness after all.  Things are going very well when she sees him and she is thrilled to be invited by him for a sneak peek at the book he is restoring, even if it is said to have a curse upon it.  Brooklyn soon wonders if the curse is real though when she finds Abraham in a pool of blood gripping the book.  Soon Brooklyn is seen as a suspect and a good one at that being she is the only one to have been down in the room with him.  But was she the only one?  She knows more than she can tell, will that catch up to her?  How can she find out who really killed Abraham without looking even more guilty?

This book had a bit of a slow start for me.  This may have been because the last few books I have read started the action on the first page, but it took quite a few chapters before this one really got going.  Partly because it needed some background, which I understand, but it just seemed a bit too slow of a start for my taste.  Once it got moving along, it seemed to go pretty quickly though.  I enjoyed the unique job that the characters had in this book of restoring books.  I also thought it funny and interesting how they felt about the books they restored.  I had to, at times, re-read a paragraph or section to make sure I was understanding it like I was supposed to, but I think it was just the different writing style or something.  The characters were quite interesting and I am glad I stuck with it to see them develop in this book.  All in all, this book was an okay read, very different than most mysteries I have read in the past as far as the setting.  I would recommend it to others if they like mysteries, but I didn't rank it in my top favorite books.

3/5 Stars

Homicide in Hardcover (A Bibliophile Mystery, #1)

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Book Review: Knit Fast, Die Young



Title:  Knit Fast, Die Young
Author:  Mary Kruger
Pages:  287
Publication Date:  2007
Version:  Paperback 
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"She found the body. Again. Sensing a pattern?
Ariadne Evans swore her sleuthing days were over after her very own knitting shop became a crime scene a few months back. But she hadn't anticipated that the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival would become the site of another murder -- with hers truly as a prime suspect. Since Ari was the one to find the body of Felicia Barr -- the much detested and influential owner of Knit It Up magazine -- with a knitting needle stuck in her back, the cops are needling Ari for answers. In a stitch, Ari dons her hand-knit detective cap and helps her on-and-off boyfriend, Detective Josh Pierce, untangle the day's events and solve a very woolly crime -- before the killer strikes again...."

My Review:

Ari has sworn off sleuthing and murders, she just wants to get back to her simple life of running her yarn shop, knitting, raising her daughter, and perhaps trying to get closer to Josh the detective in town.  She gets back to this life with her best friend Di by going to the Freeport Wool and Yarn Festival that is held in her small town.  Things are looking slow at her booth, but are pleasant enough, that is until Felicia Barr walks through the door of the barn they are in.  Felicia is owner and writer for a very popular magazine called Knit It Up, but her powerful and sometimes rude attitude make her someone that has many enemies and few friends.  Things turn upside down for Ari when she is coming back to the barn her booth is in and literally runs into Felicia...who happens to have a knitting needle in her back and soon is dead.  Ari is soon a suspect...again...of being a murderer, as is everyone else that can't account for their whereabouts at that time at the festival.  Ari soon dusts off her detective cap to try and clear herself and others she knows are innocent.  Can she really help solve another murder?  Especially when the state cops are involved this time because of it being on fairgrounds?  Josh and Ari know she didn't do it, but will they figure out who did kill Felicia before someone, mainly Ari, is charged for something they didn't do?  Will Ari be able to be a successful detective once again?  Is there a knitter turned killer running around that may kill again?

I was expecting a lot out of this book, not going to lie, because of how much I enjoyed the first book of this series.  I must say that I was not at all disappointed.  I loved this book just as much as I did the first book!  From cover to characters, this book was simply amazing!  Sometimes writers of a series can seem to repeat the same type of plot with different people, but Kruger seems to have done a great job of making each book new and exciting.  The plot was great and the flow of the book was as quick as an experienced knitters needles.  The characters were once again a huge favorite part of the book for me.  I just love Ari, Di, and Josh.  I also couldn't help but chuckle at some of the situations they all can get in and some of the things they do and say.  Ari is so laid back, a great knitter and pattern designer, and firmly believes in standing up for herself and those she cares about.  Di is a fun loving gal who just enjoys being able to do what she loves in life, make home spun yarn.  In true best friend fashion Di may not like Josh personally because of past issues, but she is all about Ari going after him for a boyfriend because he is a decent guy.  Josh is a great detective and really nice guy who is really good at his job and also has an eye for Ari.  This book is full of mystery, mayhem, drama, and a splash of romance.  It was so fun to read and I truly enjoyed it from cover to cover.  Any book that can suck me in like this one did is a fantastic book.  If you enjoy a good mystery with lovable characters that will have you wanting more, this is the book for you!  I highly recommend this read!

5/5 Stars!!

Knit Fast, Die Young: A Knitting Mystery

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Book Review: Died in the Wool



Title:  Died in the Wool
Author:  Mary Kruger
Pages:  311
Publication Date:  2005
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"Ariadne Evans is the proud owner of her very own knitting shop. And she's just got herself in a stitch.

When Ariadne enters her knitting store one day to find longtime customer Edith Perry strangled to death with homespun yarn, she fears her life is about to come undone — again, since she's still getting over a divorce. Her worries increase when she's questioned by detective Joshua Pierce, who may or may not have designs on her. While Josh pieces together the details of the crime, clues about Ariadne's ties to Miss Perry come to light...and a bizarre pattern unfolds. Now it's up to Ariadne to do some sleuthing of her own. Can she untangle the investigation without getting snarled up into too much trouble? That depends on whether the killer is as crafty as she is...."


My Review:

Ariadne, aka Ari, owns a yarn shop.  She is a designer, shop owner, newly single Mom, and a knitter.  She never would have dreamed in a million years she would ever add sleuth to that list OR person who has seen a dead body in her own shop.  Ari does have to add those things to her description of herself though after she finds Edith Perry dead in her yarn shop.  Ari is the first suspect and primary one, but Josh, the detective, isn't so sure she has it in her.  He just hopes that's his professional opinion and not his personal one getting in the way.  He is new to the small town and soon is teaming up with the amateur sleuth to see what they can find in the way of solving this murder mystery.  Ari reads a lot of mystery books, but she soon is discovering that books are very different from her real life mystery she is in.  Can Ari clear herself from the suspect list?  Will she be able to find the real killer before her or someone she knows is charged unjustly?  Odds are, being a small town, the murderer is someone she knows....but who and why would they do it?

Wow, what a book!  From the first sentence this book had me hooked.  There was no lull in this book, it kept right on going like a knitter with a determination to finish a project.  All I can say is this....I read this book in one day and only put it down for food and potty breaks.  It was a hazard to my housework chores, that's for sure because they all got ignored until I was finished with this book.  The plot was just so well written and flowed with the ease of a seasoned writer.  I picked up this book, not going to lie, because of the intriguing cover.  It was different than the one pictured below, it had yarn on the shelves with a yarn noose hanging down the middle of it all.  I just loved it!  The title was catchy too, which always peaks my interest when I am looking into reading a book.  I read this book so quickly and adamantly that I felt like I was watching a movie or a season of a TV show.  The characters were absolutely amazing too!  Ari was by far my favorite, with her wonderful determination to help her friends in trouble.  She didn't let anything stand in her way of trying to figure out who killed Edith in the shop she owned and Edith hated, not even a very hunky police detective.  The mystery was great and the splash of color the relationship between Ari and Josh (the detective) added was perfect.  I can't say enough good things about this book or this very talented author.  I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling something for the next reader, so I will just leave it at...this is an amazing book that I can't recommend enough for any reader out there, especially a mystery buff like myself!  I can't wait to read the next book in the series that I have to see where it takes Ari and if she and Josh may get a bit more romance in their lives with each other.  

5/5 Stars!

Died in the Wool

Friday, September 6, 2013

Book Review: The Camera Never Lies



Title:  The Camera Never Lies
Author:  Elizabeth Goddard
Pages:  249
Publication Date:  2010
Version:  Paperback 
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery 

Summary Via Goodreads.com:

"Crash the wedding and meet photographer Polly Perkins who zooms in on a murder victim. As she studies an endless line of potential suspects from safely behind her camera, Polly finds love staring back at her. Will her uncanny ability to read emotions through a camera lens help prevent another murder—while exploring her own potential for romance?"

My Review:

Polly is on a little "getaway" from her photography business to take some wedding photos for her best friend's wedding.  Seems Polly is capturing more than just happy wedding guests and the happy couple though in her photos.  Before the happy couple has even arrived Polly has found the dead body of a man she has always said she wished would just die.  She never thought it would ever happen though, especially not in the form of a murder right before her best friend's wedding.  The suspects that look most interesting to the Rangers are none other than Polly herself, her Mother, and her ex-lover Spencer.  Polly knows deep down that none of them did this, so she is using her talent of reading people through her camera lens to see if she can track down the real murderer.  Will she find the real killer before he or she strikes again?  Will she live to find the bottom line of this mystery or is her amateur sleuthing going to be the death of her?  Can she clear not only herself, but her family and friends?  Can she do all of this before she is supposed to be photographing her friend's wedding?

This book, in my opinion, moved a bit slow at first.  The actions started almost right away, but I felt like the sleuthing was a bit delayed and light at first.  After it got rolling though, I very much enjoyed this book and how fast it moved along in the plot.  The characters were great and I loved watching them grow and develop as I read on in the book.  I love a book that I can read and try to solve the mystery right along with the main sleuth and this book did just that.  It was written in such a way that I felt almost like Polly was reading my mind.  She seemed to go in all the directions I was thinking about at the same time I was.  The mystery of this book and the great characters of the book brought it all to life for me.  I could see it all happening and was watching on the edge of my seat to see how it all really was going to turn out.  This was a good read for me and I am glad I stuck out the first lull that I initially felt for the book.  It was a good mystery with a twist of romance added in to make it all the sweeter.  I recommend this read to any mystery or suspense lover.

4/5 Stars!

The Camera Never Lies

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

August Wrap Up!!


The end of summer is upon us once again.  It's really hard to wrap my mind around how fast this year has gone and how much has happened in my blogging life and my personal life.  As summer comes to a close it is time for my son and myself to once again hit the books with a new vigor.  As he returns to school, much to his dislike, I return to my "normal" blogging schedule too and a bit more reading to do so.  So, I may not have read quite what I hoped to over the summer or even in August alone, but I had a great summer just spending some extra time with my son and my family!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS AND THOSE THAT STOP IN TO READ MY BLOG!!!  YOU ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ME EVERY DAY!  


Here's what I have read in August: 9 Grand Total of  Books!!
You can click on the title of the book to get to my review of that book.  :-)

~ 1 Children's Book:
~Five Children and It by E. Nesbit

~ 1 Young Adult Fiction:
~Between the Land and the Sea by Derrolyn Anderson

~ 7 Adult Fiction ( Paranormal Romance/ Mystery/  Fiction):
~Poison Pen by Sheila Lowe
~Written In Blood by Sheila Lowe
~Bead On Trouble by Barbara Burnett Smith
~Hearse and Buggy by Laura Bradford
~Assaulted Pretzel by Laura Bradford
~Deadly Gift by Heather Graham
~May Cooler Heads Prevail by T.L. Dunnegan

~  Adult Non-Fiction:


How are my Challenges looking?
You can click on each challenge and you will go to my post for that challenge to see which books counted for each challenge or what each challenge entails.  As I complete challenges I will highlight them!  :-)


Over The Year 2013:
1.  Paranormal Reading Challenge 2013  Read 12 paranormal books.  I am choosing to read one a month and to follow their list of which paranormal being is featured that month and read a book containing the featured paranormal.
8/12

2.  Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2013  I am hoping to climb Mount Blanc this year by setting a goal of reading 24 books off my TBR Shelf/List.
24/24  Wrap Up Post

3.  Color Coded Reading Challenge 2013  Read 9 color specific books per list provided.
6/9

4.  What An Animal VI Reading Challenge 2013  Read 6 books containing an animal somewhere in them (cover, title, main character)

5.  Colorful Reading Challenge 2013  Read 9 books containing a color in the title.  Any color from the Crayola Crayon Color Box is game!

6.  Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge 2013  Read one book a month, so total of 12 books, that contain the "key word" of the month in the title.  "Key words" are given to pick from every month. 
8/12

7.  EBook Challenge 2013  Read E-Books!  I chose the CD level of reading 10 eBooks in the year.
5/10

8.  Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge 2013  Just like the name implies, simply read more books than I did in 2012.  I hope to read 1-5 more than I read in 2012!
0/5

9.  Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge 2013  Read books from Sookie Stackhouse Series.  I chose to read 5 books from the series this year, as that is the number I have left in the series to read.
4/5

10.  Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge 2013  Read books from this series.  I chose to read 1-3 books from the series to continue to make my way through the set.
3/3

11.  Let Me Count The Ways Reading Challenge 2013  Count pages read.  I chose the Mansion level of reading 10,001 + pages.
25,795/10,001

12.  Witch and Witchcraft Reading Challenge 2013  Read Witchy books.  I chose to read 1-5 witchy books for the Initiate level.

13.  Reading Challenge Addict Challenge 2013  A challenge to give you the goal of completing you challenges!  I chose the In Flight level of completing 11-15 challenges.
8/15

14.  Pre-1960 Classic Children Book Challenge 2013  Read classic kids books that date before 1960.  I am trying for 12 books, one a month.
8/12

15.  Mystery/Crime Reading Challenge 2013  Read Mystery and Crime books.  I picked the Sherlock Holmes level of reading 30+ books in 2013.
35/35  Wrap Up Post

16.  Off The Shelf Reading Challenge 2013  Read books off your own shelf to lessen your pile.  I picked "Trying", which is to read 15 books off my shelf.
16/16  Wrap Up Post

17.  Why Buy The Cow Reading Challenge 2013  Read eBooks that you find legally free.  I picked the "coupon clipper" level of reading 12 free eBooks.
3/12

18.  YA Mythology Reading Challenge 2013  Read 10 YA Mythology Books.
10/10  Wrap Up Post

19.  A to Z Reading Challenge 2013  Read a book for each letter of the alphabet (title starts with).
20/26

20.  100 Books in A Year Reading Challenge 2013  Read 100 Books in the year.
90/100

21.  150+ Reading Challenge 2013  Read 150+ books in the year.
90/150

Perpetual:
1.  Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge  Read all the books in this series.
3/22

2.  Kinsey Millhone Reading Challenge  Read all the books in this series.
9/22

3.  Stephen King Reading Challenge  Read all of Stephen King's Books.
0/100

4.  Read 1 Million Pages Challenge  Read 1 Million Pages.
56,978/1,000,000