Thursday, December 28, 2017

My 2017 Book of the Year

December 28, 2017 0 Comments
I've been a Nora Roberts fan for most of my life. I'm an avid romance reader and her stories are always filled with the perfect blend of adventure, romance, and community. I have to admit though I've never read any of her other works until today. I think I may have missed out as Year One is a story unlike any I have ever read.

Year One tells the story of several characters whose lives intersect after a plague takes out billions of the population. There is no treatment and no cure in sight as strangers both human and not work together to survive.

The Good

This book terrified me. I spent the first hours reading it unable to put it down even though I was almost shaking with fear. Everything happened so fast and characters were suddenly more than human. Like other Nora Roberts books, it was written fantastically. I could see all the characters and their circumstances as if I was watching a movie.

Max and Lana were my favorite characters initially but I grew to love Arlys, Chuck, and Fred too. Each has a realism that makes them seem like people you know, a neighbor or best friend.  I was so invested in making sure that they all made it despite people around them dying in mass numbers. As you would expect, the government was non-existent because of The Doom and without order, people do insane things. No answers are given to the characters because while we do find out how it was spread, less time is spent on the why. Still, I was gripped by the choices each had to make and what it cost them.

I couldn’t help but be emotionally invested as my heart raced and broke with each page. I kept wondering what I would do if my normal world was shattered overnight. I was with every character considering their decisions and making some of my own.


The Not So Good

There isn’t much to dislike about this book. If I was being picky, I could say the beginning was a bit hard to follow as we were introduced to a family whose names I had a hard time remembering. I was able to catch up soon enough and can’t think of another thing I disliked.

The Verdict






If you love books about the end of the world as you know it and want to read a book that will pull every emotional string possible read this! I can’t wait for the next one that won't be released until next December.
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# nora roberts # Thriller
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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Doesn’t every girl want to marry a billionaire?

November 14, 2017 0 Comments

Doesn’t every girl want to marry a billionaire?


Imagine the possibilities and I’m not even talking about the financial benefits. A billionaire like Reese Crane is a catch even when he doesn’t want to be caught. He’s gorgeous and complicated so it should make sense for Merina Van Heusen to be thrilled when he offers her the position in exchange for her family's hotel. She, however, is not interested in his offer until she realizes what she has to lose. Jessica Lemmon’s The Billionaire Bachelor shares the story of Reese and Merina relationship.



The Good 

Reese and Merina are hot together! Their chemistry leaps off of the page as they trade barbs and get to know one another. Both characters find their marriage difficult despite the deal. They end up falling for each despite a disastrous start. Readers get a chance to really understand Merina and Reese who have real scars because of their previous relationships.

Another thing I loved was Merina and her best friend’s relationship.  Her beautiful successful best friend understands how imperfect life is as she navigates a renewed relationship with her ex-husband. It was great to see a story crafted in a real-world reality despite the obvious fairy tale concept.

The Not So Good

I don't understand how a 30-year-old woman who is supposed to be really good at her job still lives with your parents. That isn't normal but does support what we understand about Merina. She hasn't grown up because of a traumatic romantic experience. Her relationship with Reese helps her grow up. My only other complaint is that I wish we had spent more time with Reese's family to understand a bit more about his relationship with them. Readers gain some insight eventually but I had some questions I wished were answered a bit sooner. Its likely readers find out more about the family in later books.

 The Verdict


I’m hooked! First, I’m a sucker for a billionaire romance. Second, I loved how each character was able to shine and grow despite dealing with real issues that could separate the couple. They were able to overcome all obstacles even when those issues were internal. I’m ready for the next book in the series.


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# billionaire # contemporary romance
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Tuesday, October 31, 2017

A Delightful Teen Thriller

October 31, 2017 0 Comments

I’m always on the lookout for a new favorite author.  I stumbled upon the Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris after a quick visit to my library to pick up the kids’ reads.  One of the reviews on the cover promised a thriller and I have to admit I’m impressed.

The Unraveling tells the story of Janelle Tenner a sixteen-year-old girl who is killed and resurrected by Ben Michaels, a boy she barely noticed until that day. Like most teenagers Janelle has a regular job, boyfriend and best friend, Alex. Unlike most teenagers she is practically raising her younger brother because of her mother’s bipolar disorder and her father’s demanding job. The day she is killed and reanimated is a day that changes the course of her life forever.

The Good

Janelle is a likable character. She’s well written and fleshed out. She feels like a real teenager struggling to deal with rivals and her decreasing interest in her boyfriend. She is skilled at investigation due to years of helping her FBI agent father solve cases without his knowledge. She also carries around a lot of real emotion. She is tormented by her father’s unwillingness to deal with her mother’s illness. He lives for his job but still seems to love both her and her brother. I think that he is too affected by his wife’s condition to pull the trigger on the decision that would permanently change his family. Janelle also like most teenagers keeps a lot to herself including the trauma she suffered at the hands of her former best friend.

Once the story starts is just keeps going and getting better. There are so many twists and turns that it’s difficult to imagine what will happen next. The read was easy and enjoyable! I loved the introduction of Ben and his friends and especially the twist at the end.

The Not So Good

The pacing gets a bit strange halfway throughout the book. I admit I was reading it very quickly however the story switches quickly causing you to have to be readily engaged in the story. Fortunately, it's not difficult due to the events that unfold but some of the choices are bracing. Also, the love story between Ben and Janelle feels rushed instead of progressing naturally. Again, this could be a response to the events in the book but I don’t buy the desperate love she feels suddenly for a guy she didn’t notice before.

The Verdict:
  
Overall, I liked it! The story was a rollercoaster that made you want to stay on until the end. When all was finally revealed, I was left shocked and speechless. It wasn’t predictable at all which was a welcome change. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a fun ride without the real entanglement of a love story.
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# Science Fiction # Thriller
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