Where Will You Run?

Title:   Where Will You Run

Author: M E Franco

Series: The Dion Series

Type of book: Supernatural mystery romance

Why did I read it? Heard about the book and first time published author through a friend.

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: Hard to put down after second chapter

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           4.2

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             3.5

What I got from the book: This is a new author so I definitely had no expectations. I was delighted to find I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the second installment of this series. The characters Mari and Raith were developed just enough in this first book to leave me looking forward to more of their back-stories, especially Raith’s. I will tell you I had become bored with vampires but was finally happy to have a different twist on the lore. This is no Twilight. It is better and a little more grown up.

The Trouble with Green

Title:   The Trouble with Green

Author: Liv James

Series: No

Type of book: Mystery, Suspense, Some romance

Why did I read it? Suggested through Facebook

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             3.5

What I got from the book: An entertaining read with several unexpected twists and turns. The story might have been fleshed out a little more but overall I was happy with how things turned out. The unexpected hero is always the best and possibly the most romantic. You do get this from the novel. I may have to indulge in this author’s other novels in the near future.

Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave

Title:   Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave

Author: Sibel Hodge

Series: No

Type of book: Nonfiction

Why did I read it? I have read other books by this author

How did I read it?:  Kindle eBook

What I got from the book:

This is a situation where upon completion of this book I really need to review it immediately. I have not stopped crying yet. So you will need to have some tissues throughout the read. I do not normally read this type of genre but was given the book from the author. It is compelling reading and very telling as to how cruel criminals are. To be treated as an object and not seen as a human being has to be the most horrible feeling in the spectrum of feelings humans even have. This comes out in the telling of this young woman’s story clearly. It is a necessary story to tell since it sheds light on a very really industry that should not exist. It is one thing for a person to choose prostitution and to make a living at it. It is entirely another for a person to be forced into slavery to be given as sex slaves and hardly have proper food or medical care and to be punished if they are too sick to work. How could any customer want to exploit unwilling participants? It is sick. They are just a criminal for providing the incentive in the first place for the business.

I know this is not the usual way I write my reviews, but I had to editorialize a little after reading this. Check out the links provided and find out if there is a way we can all put an end to human trafficking of every kind.

Samntha Sweet by Connie Shelton

Title:   Sweet Masterpieces and Sweet's Sweets

Author: Connie Shelton

Series: Samantha Sweet Mysteries

Type of book: Murder Mystery, Slightly Paranormal

Why did I read it? I liked the other series I recently finished by this same author

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: Extremely captivating

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           4.9

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.3

What I got from the book: My only issue with reading these books (there are two so far) is I find myself wanting sugary goodies to snack on. Sam Sweet is an entrepreneurial sort just trying to survive and build up her savings account so she can realize a dream of opening her own bakery. Along the way she finds herself embroiled in finding dead bodies, magical boxes, and dare it be true, a handsome sheriff deputy that sets his sights on wooing her. I do look forward to reading more of her future crime solving adventures and I will attempt to resist my desire to find a local bakery that can provide some of the treats described in these stories. Of course, this is not the first time reading novels have fired up my sweet tooth. I sometimes wistfully long for cake when reading Stephanie Plum adventures as well. If you enjoy those books, you will enjoy these too.

Charlie Parker Murder Mysteries

Search Amazon.com for connie shelton

Titles: Deadly Gamble, Vacations Can Be Murder, Partnerships Can Kill, Small Towns Can Be Murder, Memories Can Be Murder, Holidays Can Be Murder, Honeymoons Can Be Murder, Reunions Can Be Murder, Competition Can Be Murder, Balloons Can Be Murder, Obsessions Can Be Murder, Gossip Can Be Murder, Stardom Can Be Murder.

Author: Connie Shelton

Series: Charlie Parker Murder Mysteries

Type of book: Murder Mysteries

Why did I read it? Since I have relocated from the Southern culture of North Carolina to the Southwestern Culture of New Mexico, finding this series based on characters that live right here in nearby Albuquerque, NM was a pleasant way for me to learn a little about my new home.

How did I read it?:  On My Kindle eBook of course.

Level of captivity: Once I started this series, I kept plowing through them.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)            4.9

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.7

What I got from the book: Reading this series; featuring a female PI (amateur at that); was made interesting as much by her character as by her location. Almost every book gave a little history of New Mexico and featured a beloved custom for me to explore. I was kept guessing as to the outcome of each crime usually and love how this author does not necessarily wimp out on her endings. I also loved that marriage does not take away from the romance in the story’s main love relationship. Yea for Charlie and finding her dream guy and making it work. I especially love that the last two books in this series (so far) took a little different direction in the narrative giving more to the other characters thinking. My favorite form of reading happens to be first person, but keeping Charlie’s views in first person and then telling other character’s part of the story in the third person worked very well for me. I look forward to more from this author about these wonderful characters, and I plan to read another series she has started featuring another character in another NM community.

Stephanie Plum Fun

Title:   Stephanie Plum Series 1-16
Author: Janet Evanovich
Series: Stephanie Plum
Type of book: Romantic mystery, comedy, mayhem
Why did I read it? In anticipation of number 17 coming out in June of 2011 I reread them all in order.
How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader
Level of captivity: Not able to stop until finished and completed them all in about a week.
Scale of Fun         (1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           4.6
Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.9

What I got from the books: I love fun and I have given up television recently. These books are better than a TV series. I would not mind it if a made for TV series came of them. For some the books read very similarly but for me they were fun all the way through though many times I was frustrated at the endings. Fortunately, for me I only discovered these books this year and could jump right into the next one right away. Okay its true I have no life right now. Still if you need some light and fun reading you cannot go wrong with this series. I like reading a series in order but each one can be taken on its own. I do recommend that you start with One for the Dough if you haven’t read them yet. This does set the tone for Stephanie and wets the appetite for all the missed opportunities that happen throughout the books. I also recommend reading the first because it is about to be a movie coming out in January of 2012. No movie does a book full justice and I believe that having read the book will help fill in blanks that will undoubtedly be in the movie because of time constraints that are part of the media form.

Characters are richly developed and easily rooted for or hated in this series. Many of them arc through several books nicely. A few are present in all of them. There are also the in between stories as well that introduce a character that is starring in his own set of books beginning with Wicked Appetites by the same writer. Having completed 16 in the series it will be difficult to wait for 17 but I will be reading it on my Kindle as soon as it downloads.

Not One Clue

Title:   Not One Clue

Author: Lois Greiman

Series: Number 6

Type of book: Romantic Mystery and Suspense

Why did I read it? I have read all six of these and would read more if they existed.

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: Had to read this one completely straight through

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1 = not so much, 5 = so much fun I want more.)        4.8

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.8

What I got from the book: Reading through this series featuring a Psychologist and a LAPD cop was like reading through five novels of foreplay before finally getting some satisfaction of a sort. Witty banter and SAT worthy vocabulary abound throughout all of the Christina McMullen series. None of them turns out the way you think they will, but they always make sense at the end. I do expect to have more of Christy and Jack in the future. If you like the fun and adventure of Evanovich’s novels you will want to give These a read while waiting for the next Plum adventure.
Not One Clue: A Mystery Unzipped Unplugged One Hot Mess Unmanned Unscrewed

What Looks Like Crazy, Nutcase, High Anxiety

Title:   What Looks Like Crazy, Nutcase, High Anxiety

Author: Charlotte Hughes

Series: 1, 2 and 3

Type of book: Romantic Humor

Why did I read it? This genre is a favorite and the descriptions promised funny and a little romantic.

How did I read it?:  On my Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: All three were easy to keep going right from the start. Fortunately, for me the books are short enough to complete in a day, as they are hard to put down.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           4.3

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.7

What I got from the book: Told in first person, I again enjoyed the inner-workings of the protagonist’s thought processes as she dealt with her everyday world. She has the almost expected slightly functional family issues and borderline neurosis as most of my heroes do. Our lead character is a psychologist and has a parade of delightful and some less than delightful clients. I also am happy to feel the author has not finished with this character so I am looking forward to maybe at least one or two more books to read in the future.

Unzipped

Title:   Unzipped

Author: Lois Greiman

Series: first in 6

Type of book: Romantic murder mystery and humor

Why did I read it? Like the genre, liked the description in Kindle bookstore

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: Hooked by the end of the first chapter

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)            4.2

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.5

What I got from the book: I like the protagonist here, Christy McMullen, as a doctor of Psychology. She has a new twist on the feminine way of thinking and the author’s first person story telling had me giggling a lot throughout this book. I was very pleased that I did not guess the murderer until revealed. I love the unexpected ending and this one has it. Have fun reading this one. I hope to get to the second book really soon.
UnzippedUnpluggedUnscrewedOne Hot Mess

Good in Bed

Good in BedThen Came You: A Novel

Title:   Good in Bed

Author: Jennifer Weiner

Series: No but there is a sequel

Type of book: Romantic Humor, Drama

Why did I read it? Like the description when I came across the title

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity:   At about the forth chapter I felt the desire to stay with it until completed.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           3.9

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             3.0

What I got from the book: The main character in this book, Cannie Shapiro (okay a really weird name), is a very real average woman and she has similar feelings and concerns that I suspect are real to all women at least in our culture. Even though the story takes place in the 90s her thoughts and feelings and reactions to her events are as real now as they might have been then. I laughed and cried with Cannie as she told her story. As is my favorite type of narrative, this is written in first person from Cannie’s view. It is easy to read as her story unfolds through her eyes and as a woman, it’s easy to feel like you are in her shoes. At the end there is an interview with the author and it is worth the time to read as well.

I, Spy?, Ugley Business, A is for Apple and Still Waters

Title:   I, Spy? And three more Sophie Green Mysteries

Author: Kate Johnson

Series: There are four and a short prequel

Type of book: Mystery, Romance

Why did I read it? Fell into the genre for a bit and found the books in a Kindle store search. Author was compared and rightfully so to Evanovich.

How did I read it?:  Kindle eReader

Level of captivity: I read all of them back to back. Would love to read more of the series but Johnson did not really leave it hanging much in the fourth novel. The very first chapter pulls you in with action.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)            4.7

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             4.0

What I got from the book: Sophie Green is accidentally pulled into a new job by a delightfully handsome fellow when she stumbles on his spy activity. In first person, we get inside of Sophie’s head as she figures out the spy game and how to balance every other aspect of her life. Homage is paid to other favored characters in other books I have read and to a beloved 90s TV series throughout all four books. This is most definitely a delightful and humorous series of British spy stories with a female spy as the star. ‘Ugley Business’, ‘A is for Apple’, and ‘Still Waters’ are the titles that round out this series of books.
Ugley Business (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 2)Still Waters (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 4)I, Spy? (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 1)A is for Apple (Sophie Green Mysteries, No. 3)The Twelve Lies of Christmas (Sophie Green Prequel)

Complimentary Colors

Title:   Complimentary Colors

Author: Kate Evans

Series: no

Type of book: Romance

Why did I read it? Sounded interesting as I came across the description during a routine search for something different to read

How did I read it?:  Kindle Reader

Level of captivity: I read this one straight through only stopping to sleep.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           4.1

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             3

What I got from the book: This book speaks to the person who may not exactly be comfortable with his or her own life but does not really know why. Our character Gwen finds herself in a predicament of deciding if and what changes she will make for her life. She has to decide between two paths and between two very different people in very different worlds. The ending feels good to me but may not be pleasing to everyone.
Complementary Colors 

Heads You Lose

Title:   Heads You Lose

Author: Lisa Lutz & David Hayward

Series: no

Type of book: Murder mystery

Why did I read it? Heard about this book on NPR while driving. The authoers were bring interviewed and I felt I needed to check this book out.

How did I read it?:  Kindle Reader

Level of captivity: This was a little slow to get started but persistence paid off in the end with a surprise.

Scale of Fun

(1-5, 1=not so much,  5=so much fun I want more.)           3.9

Insomnia Scale

(1-5, 1=can stop reading and go to sleep at the proper bed time, 5=can’t sleep ‘til I am finished)                                                                             2

What I got from the book: The story itself was intriguing enough but the overlying story that unfolds between the chapters was most entertaining. Make sure you read the footnotes included. The authors have a kind of duel that goes along with the story and it gives an insight in how a collaborative work can be created. I had fun reading this book and if you want a good old-fashioned who-dun-nit, this is one to read. 

Zombie Fallout series

Title:   Zombie Fallout I, II, and III

Author: Mark Tufo and et.al.

Series: First, second and third in the series

Type of book: Zombie Horror

Why did I read it?  Wanted to read some of this genre when I became enamored with AMC’s The Walking Dead series on TV last winter

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: Immediately grabbed my interest right from the start and I read each installment straight through wanting more at the end.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4.1

What I got from these books: So now that you know I do not only read chic books (or Chic Lit as I was recently informed) here is my take on this set of zombie novels. As I seem to find in this genre, first person is the format of storytelling this author uses. And it happens to be my favorite so that is a plus when I am reading. Our storyteller here is a father of two teen sons and a twenty something daughter along with a very patient and long suffering wife that now has come to appreciate many of his quirks as they now are what is keeping them and their friends alive. He has a beloved bulldog named Henry that he actively protects as much as he protects the rest of his family. Along the way he picks up other characters with unusual quirks and a very potent enemy. As the story develops through the three novels it is clear he has much to battle to get his family safe. At the end of the last installment titled ‘The End’ it clearly is not and I cannot wait to read what comes next. So Mr. Tufo if you seeing this know I want more.

The Bitch-Proof Suit

Title:   The Bitch-Proof Suit

Author: De-Ann Black

Series: no

Type of book: Romantic comedy

Why did I read it? I found it when searching the Kindle Store and I could not resist the title.

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: This one was a very quick read and I finished it with few breaks

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4

What I got from the book: This is the ultimate chic book novel. It is short and sweet and full of laughs and confusion. This is told in first person and the character Blue has a very different take on her world. The title sucked me in and the story kept me going. This is great book for traveling cross-country by air. It gives a good feeling by the time the story gets to the conclusion and you should be at your destination by then.
The BITCH-PROOF SUIT (Romantic Comedy)

Be Careful What You Wish For

Title:   Be Careful What You Wish For

Author: Sibel Hodge

Series: Second in the series

Type of book: Romantic mystery adventure

Why did I read it?  I wanted more after reading the first novel in this series

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: I read this one nearly straight through. Had to finish before I could sleep last night.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4.2

What I got from the book: Amber Fox’s decision making process is fully revealed in this first person telling of her latest case to its resolution. I was not a bit disappointed in how everything works out and look forward to another novel about her and her cohorts. I had fun joining along as she worked through twists and turns in an unfamiliar industry to solve her case. As heroines go, she is capable and strong even when confronted with icky situations. Just don’t throw a spider on her………

Two for the Dough

Title:   Two for the Dough

Author: Janet Evanovich

Series: Second in the series

Type of book: Romantic mystery adventure comedy

Why did I read it?  I wanted more after reading the first novel in this series

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: I read this one nearly straight through. I could not stop ‘til I got to the conclusion.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       4.5

What I got from the book: This second installment of the adventures of Stephanie Plum finds her still a bit running on tenacity rather than skill and is after a new quarry. She is still trying to come to terms with feelings and instinct verses brain. As always told in first person by Stephanie herself we get a delightful inside view of the workings of her thought processes as she figures out what she really wants and if she should actually have it. Full of laugh out loud moments you will not be able to stop reading until you are done. Fortunately there are more of these to move onto and they do not disappoint.
Search Amazon.com for janet evanovich 

The Fashion Police

Title:   The Fashion Police

Author: Sibel Hodge

Series: First in the series

Type of book: Romantic mystery adventure comedy

Why did I read it?  Found when searching the Kindle Store.

How did I read it:  On my Kindle.

Level of captivity: I took a little longer to warm up to this one but was delighted by the middle and cannot wait to start reading the next book in this set.

Scale of Fun (1-5 1=not so much, 5=so much fun I want more.)       3.9

What I got from the book: Our protagonist Amber Fox is a thirty something ex-cop with serious romance issues and dilemmas. She is smarter and more attractive than she thinks, but she still manages to be good at what she does and gets the scoop in the end.  With creative tenacity she foils the thugs who are after her and saves the day. I have promised never to give spoilers in any of my reviews and I will not here. I also promise that if you stick with this book you will enjoy it and look forward to more. So I say go for it!