"November 9" by Colleen Hoover--a WOW Romance (We Both Liked This One!)

November 9 by Colleen Hoover I really a captivating romance novel.  From the beginning, I figured Fallon and Ben would get together but what a journey they have!  They meet when they are 18 on November 9 at a restaurant when Ben pretends to be her boyfriend, slides in next to her and joins in the conversation she is having with her father about her going to New York.  Her father is trying to discourage her from going back to acting and Ben defends her and encourages her to go for it in spite of the scars she has from being in a fire.  Ben and Fallon agree to meet again on November 9, same time, same place for the next 5 years and see where things go.  However, they also do not exchange phone numbers and block each other on all the social media sites so they cannot have any contact except on November 9. 

The witty dialogue and the alternate points of view allowing the reader to know what each of the main characters is thinking makes November 9 a very fun read!  I enjoyed the book very much and liked both Fallon and Ben, but I liked Ben better (Fallon seemed kind of slutty and mean to me).  I thought Fallon had a tendency to over react and was a bit mean at times by not giving Ben a chance to explain himself.  As I read, something seemed off with Ben which provided some mystery and the surprise twist in the book!   I was so glad that this book moved along to all their November 9 meetings rather than showed us what they were both up to all year long.  I also liked their book discussions and how the author developed and organized this novel in such a cool way.  For me, the swearing throughout was a big turn off to me and I also did not care for the premarital sex scenes and how quickly Fallon allowed Ben to paw her up.  Because of that, I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

November 9 starts off with Fallon Having an argument with her father in a restaurant. Ben over hears and takes it upon himself to enter and sit with Fallon and aid her in the discussion.  If I say anything else, it would spoil it for you.  What I can say is that this book is FANTASTIC!  In my opinion, it is Colleen Hoover's best book!  The characters of Ben and Fallon are so good!  The writing is easy to follow and flows along nicely leading to the twists and turns near the end.  WOW!  I felt a lot of emotion in this book for both Ben and Fallon.  This is absolutely a "Must Read" I highly recommend!  There is so much to discuss about this one too!
(Gerard's review 8/3/16, 5++ stars)

We also liked SLAMMED and CONFESS by Colleen Hoover.

Here is my favorite Booktuber's review of this that really got me interested in it:

So, if you read this book, who did you like better and why--Fallon or Ben?

If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Lost and Found" by Katrina Leno

The Lost and Found by Katrina Leno is a story about Frannie and Louis. They met at a very young age in an online support group for trauma survivors. They have never met face-to-face; but due to a set of circumstances, they do just that. This was a nice story that flowed very well. I enjoyed both of the main characters and the good ending! I was bothered though, that I had to hold the book upside down to read it and it went from the back to the front—very strange!  The library put the book jacket on upside down!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:
He releases my father's hand and settles against the booth.  He gives me a quick wink and leans toward me, bringing his mouth close enough to my ear to warrant being punched.

From page 16 of November 9 by Colleen Hoover.


Karen's:

This was the first time I really saw him, the guy he didn't reveal to anyone.  His mask was gone, and there was heaviness in his voice and darkness in his eyes.

From page 69 of Until Friday Night  by Abbi Glines.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 
Happy Reading!

"BRAIN--The Complete Mind by Michael S. Sweeney (National Geographic)

I got BRAIN--THE COMPLETE MIND (How It Develops, How It Works, and How to Keep It Sharp) by Michael S. Sweeney for Christmas two years ago in 2014 and finally finished it!  It is a very in-depth book so I felt like I was reading a text book.  The other reason it took so long for me to read it was because of it being so big and heavy.  I do most of my reading on the bus and on breaks at work, but with this book, I just read it in short spurts at a time at home.  It photographs and art work is really good!  It is a very high quality glossy paper with a super layout and several features I liked which were the glossaries at the end of every chapter and the side notes on how to keep your mind sharp and "Fast Facts."  The only thing I didn't like was often there are sentences that are incomplete.  They just break off mid-sentence!  Other than that, it is a very interesting science book.  I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in the brain. 
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Signs of You" by Emily France

Signs of You by Emily France is about four young teens.  They have a bond between them--they all have family members who have recently died and are grieving.

I thought this book was pretty good because it shows how people have various ways of dealing with grief.  The ending was well done!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Wolf Road" by Beth Lewis is a Wild Adventure! UPDATED

In The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis, Elka was just 7 years old, in the woods alone, lost and hungry.  Her parents left her and her nana died.  A trapper took her into his cabin and taught her the way of the woods including trapping and how to survive.  Elka was happy with him until when she got to be 17 and discovered what awful things he had done.  Then she took off on her own using everything he taught her to stay alive.

This book has the whole package:  action, humor, relationship issues, twists and turns with good writing putting it all together.  I enjoyed this first book by this author a lot!
(Gerard's review 7/27/16, 5++ stars)

Karen read this too--here's her review, 3 stars:
The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis is a creepy novel about survival.  A little girl of 7 gets lost in the woods alone and is befriended by a man who traps and lives alone in the woods.  He raised her and taught her how to make a fire, how to hunt and set snares, and used her to help him around the cabin and skinning animals.  Then when she is 17, she finds out bad things about him and leaves to set out to find her parents who left her to go mining for gold.  Does she find her parents?  Does she become like Trapper?  Will she learn to be a better judge of character?  Will she get arrested?

This book is about Elka's journey, not only in the physical sense but also about coming to accept who she is and being able to face reality.  I felt sad for Elka throughout the book and was happy when she finally made a friend who she could trust.  I thought the ending was quite sad too and because of the extent of gruesome things and the sadness of killing children and the fact that the ending was given away in the first chapter this did not come close to 5 stars for me.  I liked it okay but some of it just didn't make sense to me.  I thought Elka's relationship with her wolf friend was very cool though. 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Last One" by Alexandra Oliva

In The Last One by Alexandra Oliva, twelve people are sent into the woods to compete in a reality show.  They know that the winner gets a big cash prize but know little else.  Soon they must decide if it is a game or has something gone horribly wrong!

If you like reality TV shows, this book is for you!  I like how the author followed all the twelve and also the TV production crew thinking.  Had a real good ending and although parts were kind of slow, overall I enjoyed it!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:
I scooped him up and took a quiet side street home.  No way was I getting caught carrying around a girly little dog like that.  It would have been worse than being caught with a book.

From page 15 of When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin.

It hadn't been those things that made me stand there, though, after he warned me to go.  It had been his eyes.

From page 20 of Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines.

No one knows precisely what went wrong.  But before he dies, the producer will know this much:  Something went wrong.

From page 6 of The Last One by Alexandra Oliva.

Karen's:

Soon as I touched that white bone handle I realized quick I chose right.  I didn't much want to go back to Nana's shack; she never let me eat jerky and play with knives. 

From page 17of The Wolf Road  by Beth Lewis.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 
Happy Reading!

"Until Friday Night" by Abbi Glines--Two Differing Views About This One

Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines is told by West Ashby, a very popular guy and Maggie Carlton who has a lot going for her.  West is well-liked and a key player on the high school football team.  He is also hurting inside and is keeping it all bottled up.  Maggie is very pretty, smart and popular as well, but is traumatized by a family tragedy and refuses to talk to anybody.  She is also starting in a new school.

I enjoyed this book very much.  to me it went fast and I always looked forward to picking it up again.  West and Maggie were both great and I enjoyed the ending too!
(Gerard's review 7/24/16, 5++ stars)

Karen's review (2 stars) 8/2/16:
Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines is about two older teens who start out as friends because they understand each other’s pain caused by the death of a parent, but fall in love during the process of comforting each other. Maggie had a tragedy so awful that she refuses to talk until she sees West hurting and wants to help him. Maggie moves in with her aunt and uncle who have a son, Brady who attends her school and is on the football team with West.

This novel is about teen relationships, friendship, grief and high school drama. I was disappointed there wasn’t more about football based on the book cover. Furthermore, the swearing and premarital sex scenes in this book were big turn offs for me. I never really liked West much, and thought Maggie would have been better off keeping him as only a friend. The fact that Maggie let West kiss her the first time they met and that she let him stay overnight in her room did not make me think very highly of her either. I would have preferred her and Nash winding up together instead.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"When Friendship Followed Me Home" by Paul Griffin

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin is about Ben Griffin who is not big on friendships.  Being a foster kid, he has had to experience a lot of pain in his young life by people leaving him.  However, that all change when he befriends a homeless dog who leads him to meeting a young girl!

I liked this book a lot.  The story moved along well and I thought all the characters were very believable.  I never really had it figured out, which is very good!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Trap" by Melanie Raabe

The Trap by Melanie Raabe is about how Linda Conrads, an author, seeks to bring her sister's killer to justice by getting him to confess.  The murder happened 12 years ago and went unsolved.  Linda is the only eyewitness who actually saw the murderer, at least she thinks she saw him.  When she sets a trap for him by writing a novel including the specific details of the murder, some doubts arise. 

This is a unique mystery and psychological thriller with a novel within a novel which gives background information to the reader.  There is very little action in this book but quite a bit of suspense.  The author kept my interest by keeping me guessing if Linda was crazy and if she would actually get the confession she wanted.  She was as much interested in why her sister was murdered and so wanted to have a little chat with the killer face to face which was the best part of the book.  I really liked that the killer had a little trap of his own but didn't care for the excerpts from the novel Linda wrote!  I found them distracting after a while.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesdays

Gerard's:
Off-script in a rare emotional moment, Jeremy suddenly said:  "I mean, if I ran out of money, I'd lose my house before I'd give up this dog.  I'd move into a cardboard box under a bridge before I'd give up this dog."

From page 50 of The Underdogs by Melissa Fay Greene. (non-fiction, wonderful book!)

If not for his sister, Frank would have signed the farm over to Emmet, wished him well, and left the day Pa was laid to rest.  If not for Annie. 

From page 20 of Messenger by Moonlight  by Stephanie Grace Whitson.

Karen's:

I looked across at our opponents and wondered who they were.  And I looked out at the crowd, and that's when I realized we were in the middle of Nationals, and I was supposed to be doing something.

From page 95 of The Memory Book  by Lara Avery.

I'll write a new book.  The events from back then in the form of a crime novel.  Bait for the murderer and therapy for me.

From page 20 of The Trap by Melanie Raabe.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 
Happy Reading!

"Messenger by Moonlight" by Stephanie Grace Whitson is fiction about The Pony Express

Messenger by Moonlight by Stephanie Grace Whitson tells the story of a young girl named Annie and her two brothers, Frank and Emmett.  When their dad dies, they are left broke and lose the farm.  The brothers decide to join the Pony Express and Annie comes along and becomes a cook at one of the stations.

I liked Annie, the main character, but this book had little action and there was nothing that took me by surprise.  It's an okay read that I read only because Karen recommended it.
(Gerard's review 7/18/16, 3.5 stars) 

Karen's review 7/13/16, 4 stars:
Messenger by Moonlight by Stephanie Grace Whitson is a very enjoyable read about two brothers (Frank and Emmett) who join up as pony express riders and sign up their sister as a cook for Clearwater, one of the remote home stations in Nebraska territory without even asking first!  Annie is at first put out by that, but doesn't want to be alone so agrees to go with them on this new money-making adventure. Emmett trusts in the Lord for courage and guidance and encourages Annie to as well, like their ma but Frank doesn't want anything to do with God and just complains about his rotten luck.  Annie tries to stay positive and look for the good things.  Annie has a dream of having her own nice white house with flower boxes and blue trim one day and Frank aims to make sure that happens for her.  When they get to the Clearwater station and meet the owner, George Morgan, he is not what any of them expected.

I enjoyed this historical western romance very much and liked all the characters.  The story line moved along and gave insight in what the pony express riders faced and the part women played during this time.  I loved the ending and recommend this for anyone who likes novels about the west around the time of the Civil War.  It had some funny parts that I actually laughed out loud at!


I also liked Key on the Quilt by this author.

Joining in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop this week responding to the book review prompt.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Underdogs" by Melissa Fay Greene is Wonderful!

The Underdogs by Melissa Fay Greene tells the story of Karen Shirk, who was so disabled that she was not even allowed a dog.  Some nurses encouraged her to raise her own service dog though and she did!  Now, 1,000 dogs later, she runs 4 Paws for Ability, placing dogs with children and their families.

This is a WONDERFUL book that tells the stories of kids and their dogs.  The stories are so good and heartwarming!  Look up 4 Paws for Ability  and you will see the great work they do.  God bless you, Karen, for the work you do and thanks so much for sharing the stories!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Security" by Gina Wohlsdorf is a Shocking Thriller

Security by Gina Wohlsdorf is about a new 20-story hotel that is about to open.  It caters to the richest of the rich and boasts of a security system that cannot be matched.  Somebody though does not want this hotel to open and will go to great lengths to see that its doors stay closed.

This book moved a bit too slow for me.  I would have liked more action but did enjoy the two main characters and was happy with the ending.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Memory Book" by Lara Avery is Heartbreaking

In The Memory Book by Lara Avery, you meet Sammie McCoy.  She is a young girl with big plans and has worked really hard to graduate at the top of her class.  Now she wants to go to college in New York and make something of her life.  Unfortunately, she has a health problem involving her brain.  She writes everything down because soon she won't remember things and doesn't want to forget.

WOW!  What a fantastic book!  I really enjoyed Sammie right from page 1!  She is far from perfect, but then, none of us are.  With great writing, this is the kind of book you will long remember. 
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesdays

Gerard's:
But a reckless rage had come over Harry.  He kicked his trunk open, pulled out his wand, and pointed it at Uncle Vernon.

From page 30 of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling.

I looked across at our opponents and wondered who they were.  And I looked out at the crowd, and that's when I realized we were in the middle of Nationals, and I was supposed to be doing something.

From page 95 of The Memory Book  by Lara Avery.

Karen's:

"Having trouble finding a room is just a sign that we've come to the right place," Annie said.  "You said it yourself.  God hasn't lost track of us and we're going to be all right." 

From page 23 of Messenger by Moonlight  by Stephanie Grace Whitson.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 
Happy Reading!

I Recommend "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown

The Boys In The Boat by Daniel James Brown is a non-fiction novel about the personal journeys of the 1936 USA rowing Olympic team.  Through personal interviews, the author writes an amazing story of perseverance, overcoming obstacles, teamwork, humility and competition.  I enjoyed reading about the coaches and how the team was assembled as well as the races.  The parts about Nazi Germany hosting the Olympics actually made me mad.  I acquired a new admiration for the sport of rowing after reading this book.  I thought the first part of the book was very slow but then the rest of it picked up.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

The Boys In The Boat by Daniel James Brown is such a good book! It tells the true story of a bunch of young boys from Washington University who competed in rowing during the 1936 Olympic Games in Germany. One of the best parts of this book was the stories about the boys’ personal lives and their coaches too! The races are very exciting as well. I gained a whole lot of respect for what it takes to row when I read this book. Loved it and recommend you read it too! You will be glad you did!
(Gerard’s review 8/24/13, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" by J. K. Rowling (video review included)

Love Crankshooks!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling is the third book of this series and another enjoyable fun read!  In this book, there are surprises and a very cool map that has been handed down from former mischief makers to current mischief makers at Hogwarts school.  I thought the classes were really interesting and was happy Hagrid got to be a teacher on care of critters.  The class on Defense of Dark Arts was also fun.  There are so many great scenes in this book that I didn't want to put it down.  I cheered when Hermione bought herself a cat named Crankshooks who has sort of a big part in the story chasing after Ron's rat, Scabbers and causing tension between Ron and Hermione.  Snape and Malfoy continue to resent Harry and cause trouble.  Of course, Harry is amazing in this book too and I enjoy rooting for him!  I loved this book and enjoyed it very much.  It has lots of action and funny things throughout.  I look forward to continuing this series.
(Karen's review7/15/15, 5 stars)

Gerard's review 7/9/16 (5 stars):
It's always good to get back to a Harry Potter book!  In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Sirius Black is loose and the word is out that he wants to get at Harry in the worst way! I thought this book was very good.  I enjoyed the various storylines throughout the book and Ron and Hermione are good in this one too!  I especially liked the unexpected ending and the great writing!

Watch my review I did for "Booktube":

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Ink and Bone" by Lisa Unger, Another Thriller

Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger starts off with a young girl and her brother on a walk with their dad.  The dad and brother are shot, but the girl is just taken.  Fast forward to years later and the mom, who still thinks her daughter is alive enlists a detective to help find her.  His lady friend, how has a gift that comes in handy in these types of situations, helps him.

Ink and Bone  is pretty good.  I enjoyed the second part of the book more than the first.  I have read better Lisa Unger books than this, but this one is worth reading too for sure.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:
A cold, prickly sweat gathered at the base of his neck.  He felt dizzy, and the skylight spun.

From page 22 of Asylum by Madeleine Roux.

They locked eyes; she'd never seen anyone look so afraid. 

From page 8 of Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger.

Karen's:

The result of all this muscular effort, on both the larger scale and the smaller, is that your body burns calories and consumes oxygen at a rate that is unmatched in almost any other human endeavor.  Physiologists, in fact, have calculated that rowing a two-thousand-meter race--the Olympic standard--takes the same physiological toll as playing two basketball games back-to-back. 

From page 40 of The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.

To stave off loneliness, the elderly who maintain friendships and make new ones have a distinct advantage.  Many studies have shown that morale increases when an older person spends time with friends, even more so than with family.

 From page 286 of BRAIN--The Complete Mind, How It Develops, How It Works, and How To Keep It Sharp by Michael S. Sweeney.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 
Happy Reading!

"Asylum" by Madeleine Roux

In Asylum by Madeleine Roux, Dan Crawford is given a chance of a lifetime.  A summer program for gifted students is how he is going to spend his summer.  But when he gets to the school, he finds that the dorm he has to stay at was an old psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane.  While exploring, he discovers some secrets that link him and his friends to the Asylum's dark past.

This book kept my interest throughout.  The story moved along well and while not action-packed, was good enough. 
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Loved "End of Watch" by Stephen King

End of Watch by Stephen King is the final book in the series that started with Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers. In this book Brady Hartsfield is in a hospital. He is in a vegetative state, or is he? Turns out that he has special powers now and the two detectives, Bill Hodges and Holly Gibney better watch out or else!

This book was vintage King! I just never knew where this was going to turn. I enjoyed this book as much as the other two—LOVED IT! What a great series!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Stay Where You Are and Then Leave" by John Boyne

In Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne, as the first World War rages on, Alfie thinks that his father died to the war. As the war continues, Alfie learns something that changes everything. Even though Alfie is a very young boy, he must take on a man's job.

I thought this book was very good!  I enjoyed the character of Alfie very much and the story moved along well. 

(Gerard's review 6/25/16, 5 stars)

Karen's review, 4 stars:
This is a sweet story about a boy's love for his dad during World War I.  The boy, Alfie, lives in London and is only five years old, wanting to join his dad on the milk run.  The father volunteers to fight in the war but writes regularly.   The mother keeps telling the boy his dad is on a secret mission and can't write home which makes Alfie think his father may be dead.  One day when Alfie is making money shining shoes, he discovers that his father is actually in a hospital.  Alfie takes on a secret mission of his own for love.

This is a good read and I enjoyed it.  It goes very fast because it is a children's book, but Alfie is a very brave and loving, caring boy who I liked very much.  Although this book takes place during the war, the focus is on those who are not fighting and so there is hardly any violence at all. 

We have enjoyed two other books by this author too and recommend them all:  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and The Boy at the Top of the Mountain. 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:
She glances around at the door to make sure it's shut, then removes her left hand from her knee and reaches out with it.  "All those people you hurt, some of them still suffering.

From page 94 of End of Watch by Stephen King. (book 3 of Mr. Mercedes series)



Karen's:

He was nine years old now and hadn't had any birthday parties in the years in between.  But when he was going to sleep at night, he did this best to put together all the things he could remember about his family before they'd changed.

From page 9 of Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 
Happy Reading!

"Every Last One" by Anna Quindlen

Every Last One by Anna Quindlen is about the Latham family, comprised of Mary Beth and Glen, parents of three teenagers:  Ruthie and fraternal twin boys, Alex and Max.  Ruthie is into academics and loves to write, Alex is into sports and Max is into his drums and their dog.  While focusing on their depressed son, Max, the parents are caught completely off guard when Ruthie's boyfriend becomes obsessed with her and continues stalking her after she breaks up with him.  When tragedy strikes, can Mary Beth keep it together?

There is a lot of interpersonal relationships in this book and the mother is the main character who tells the story.  This book gives insight into parenting, teen issues and sibling rivalry.  For me, this book moved very slow but it is a good story and I'm glad I stuck with it to finish it.  It is contemporary fiction that reminded me a bit of Little Big Lies by Liane Moriarty which was way better.  I read this because it was a library recommendation based on my like for What Was Mine by Helen Klein Ross, but I saw very little similarity other than the mother being the main character telling the story.  If you like family stories about teens and are good with no suspense, no mystery and slow moving, then I recommend this one.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"With Malice" by Eileen Cook

With Malice by Eileen Cook centers on 18-yr.-old Jill Charron.  Jill has it all--smart, pretty and a very rich dad.  One day she wakes up and does not know where she is.  I turns out she is in a hospital and has been for some time.  She was in an accident and is in bad shape.  Then Jill finds out her best friend is dead and all signs point to Jill as being the one who killed her!  Jill doesn't think she did it but cannot remember what happened. 

I thought this book was really good because it kept me turning the pages eager to see what would happen.  I was hooked early and enjoyed the ride.  The writing was very good.
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Highly Illogical Behavior" by John Corey Whaley

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley centers on three teens:  (1) Solomon who has not left his house in three years and sees no reason to; (2) Lisa who has big plans to get into an exclusive school; and (3) Clark, who is Lisa's boyfriend but would like to be more.

Lisa's plans include Solomon, but she does not let him know that.  When she decides to get Clark's help, things get really interesting.

I enjoyed this book.  I thought the story line was good and I enjoyed all three characters.  I also had an unexpected ending I was glad to see.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:
Then one day trying wasn't enough, so he stripped down to his boxers and sat in the fountain in front of his junior high school.  Then And right there, with his classmates and teachers watching, with the morning sun blinding him, he slowly leaned back until his entire body was underwater.
From page 4of Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley.


Falling, with wind whistling and roaring past my head for a short eternity, only to bounce my head against the seat in front of me.  I coughed, spit, and strained for a breath.

From page 33 of Mayday by Karen Harrington.


Karen's:

I want to run upstairs and get into the shower, but I like to watch my children when they don't know I'm there, convinced that they'll reveal themselves to me in some essential way.  They're so different when it's just the three of them, together.

From page 56 of Every Last One by Anna Quindlen.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 
Happy Reading!

"Mayday" by Karen Harrington

In Mayday by Karen Harrington, a young boy named Wayne is the main character.  Wayne has a lot going on in his life.  He lives with his mom, who is separated from his dad and his grandpa who was in the army.  Wayne's uncle dies while fighting in the army, and on the plane ride back from the service, Wayne and his mom service a horrible plane crash.  Now Wayne cannot talk and his face does not look too good.

I liked this children's book because it had humor and made me think. The characters were brought out really well and the ending surprised me which is a good thing!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Boy at the Top of the Mountain" by John Boyne

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne is about a young boy named Pierrot who becomes an orphan around the time of World War II.  When he is 7 years old, rides three trains by himself to go live with his aunt whom he never even met.  While living with her, he is influenced by the people he meets and soon he sees things far different than he used to.

I thought the second part of this book was better than the first part and the ending was very well done.  However, I do not think this was as good as this author's first book (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) but still is a very good read.
(Gerard's review, 4.5 stars)

(Karen's review 6/17/16, 5 stars) 
I was eager to read The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne, the author who also wrote The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, an amazing story!  The Boy at the Top of the Mountain is also set during World War II.  It shows how a nice, innocent 7-yr.-old boy, Pierrot, with German and French background is faced with a whole new life when his aunt takes him in to live with her after his parents both die. 

This story kept my interest all the way through and didn't have any boring part.  I finished it in just two days and liked how the author made Pierrot's struggles so clear.  This too is a sad book but thought provoking.  As Pierrot gets a new identity, he fights to keep his memories of "the good old days" and is torn apart when he realizes what he did was really wrong.  I thought the ending was great and recommend this one!  I hesitate saying any more about it because I don't want to spoil it for you.  Just read it and be shocked like I was!  I don't think I'll easily forget this book, just like The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is lodged in my memory.


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday--4 This Week

Gerard's:

And between my skin and bones, something thrummed and pounded, rising and pushing, lashing through my blood--

So many eyes, too many eyes, pressed on me, witnesses to every crime I'd committed, every humiliation--

I don't know why I'd even bothered to wear gloves, why I'd let Ianthe convince me.
From page 41 of A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas.


And when Thurman growled in reply, Wilson tried not to pay attention to him.  But if asked, he would have said that Thurman had said that he shouldn't worry about things like that, since other things were going to happen to make all of it make sense.

From page 25 of The Dog That Whispered by Jim Kraus.


Karen's:

Then the crashing began again.  It sounded as though it was over the living room now.  How did I wind up here? Rebecca thought.

From page 10 of Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen.

Against his father's wishes, Hans had joined the Hitler Youth movement when he was fourteen.  His father, Robert, was opposed to Germany's new leader, Adolf Hitler, and his National Socialist, or Nazi, political party.  "Don't believe them," he warned his children.

 From page 1 of We Will Not Be Silent--The White Rose Student Resistance Movement that Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

"The Problem With Forever" by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Problem With Forever by Jennifer Armentrout is a beautiful, inspirational story about Mallory a/k/a "Mouse" and Rider, two kids who were in an abusive foster home together accepting their past but looking to the future.  After being split up for four years, Mallory getting adopted while Rider was in a group home and foster home, they wind up in the same high school for senior year and reconnect.

I liked both the main characters who were well developed and grew throughout the book.  There are many references to The Velveteen Rabbit book that is closely related to the main theme of this book so I would recommend reading that as well.  It is the book Rider used to read to Mallory when they were kids and that was her favorite.  There is a lot of relationships that make this a very realistic, contemporary fiction novel.  I really liked Carl and Rosa too, doctors who adopted Mallory.  I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it, especially to teens.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

In The Problem With Forever by Jennifer Armentrout, Mallory is a young teen girl who spent time in a foster home that was not a good situation, but could always count on a young boy named Rider.  After years of being home schooled when she was taken in by a nice couple, she is ready to go to a regular high school for her senior year.  She thinks she can do this.  On the first day of school, she sees someone she recognizes--Rider!

I really enjoyed this book a lot!  Mallory was a fantastic character as was Rider.  The writing was very good too.  It had me from page 1.  I think you should read this one.  I can't imagine anyone not liking this!
(Gerard's review 6-1-16, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"We Will Not Be Silent" by Russell Freedman

We Will Not Be Silent--The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman is a true story about a group of young teens who turned against Hitler.   This is a very short story, but I am glad that it was told.  These teens were very brave and paid for what they believed in with their lives.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Karen's review, 4 stars:
We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedman is about the White Rose student resistance movement against Adolf Hitler during World War II. Specifically, this focuses on the Scholl family, whose eldest son, Hans began it.  At first, he was excited to join the Hitler Youth movement against his father's advice; however, when his creativity was frowned upon and he realized they took away some freedom and wanted to keep everyone the same, he became doubtful.  Slowly and carefully, Hans got others to help him distribute leaflets against Hitler and pointing out things that were happening that were not right in several different cities and also do some graffiti.

This was a quick read but very informative about something I did not know much about.  I thought it was interesting and am glad I happened to see at the library and picked it up.  It shows that many people were not on board with Hitler's policies and some were brave enough to put their lives on the line to fight back.  I think it is definitely worth the time to read.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Wolf Wilder" by Katherine Rundell

The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell is about a young girl named Feo.  She and her mom train wolves to fend for themselves.  When her mom is taken away by a general who wants to rule the land, Feo has to count on all the things her mom taught her and wolves to save her mom.  I thought this was pretty good.  I really enjoyed Feo and the story moved along well.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)  

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Ruined" by Amy Tintera

Ruined by Amy Tintera is a quick read because there is action right from the start and it is hard to put down.  This YA fantasy is about Emelina Flores, a ruined, who comes up with quite an elaborate and dangerous plan to free her sister who was captured by Lera after they killed her mother, the Queen.  Her father was killed by the princess of Vallos so Em is out for revenge as well.  She impersonates Princess Mary after killing her off, planning to marry Prince Casimer and take down the royal family of Lera from the inside.  Em is viewed as useless by the Ruineds because she has no magic ability, even though she is very good with a sword.

I loved the humor in this book and the romance that developed between Em and Prince Cas.  I also enjoyed the writing style very much which let the reader know what both Cas and Em were thinking.  There is not a lot of description in this book which is why I think it moves along so quickly.  I liked both Em and Cas and hope they will rule together one day.  I look forward to reading book 2 in this series.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

In Ruined by Amy Tintera, Emelina Flores has nothing.  Her home has been ravaged by war.  Her parents are both dead and her sister has been taken by the enemy.  With nothing to lose but her own life, Emelina comes up with a plan to find and save her sister.  For this plan to work, Em will have to become part of the enemy.  Can she pull it off?

WOW!  This is good stuff!  The first part of the book put the plan in motion and the second part is when the action starts.  I really liked the character of Em.  This story moved along well and the end had me flipping pages to see how it was going to turn out!  Sign me up for book 2!
(Gerard's review 6/4/16, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

Wolves made sense to her; wolves were one of the few things worth dying for.  It seemed unlikely, though, that anyone would ask her to:  After all, wolves were, in general, on the other side of the equation.

From page 14 of The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell.


But then at the end of the morning something happens, something abnormal, making this day different than all the days before.

From page 26 of Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica.


Karen's:

She'd still been awake when the sun started peeking through the curans, unable to sleep in a castle full of her enemies.  She'd spent almost a year planning to infiltrate the castle, but the reality of being surrounded by people who would kill her if they discovered her true identity was more unsettling than anticipated.

From page 21 of Ruined by Amy Tintera.

Against his father's wishes, Hans had joined the Hitler Youth movement when he was fourteen.  His father, Robert, was opposed to Germany's new leader, Adolf Hitler, and his National Socialist, or Nazi, political party.  "Don't believe them," he warned his children.

 From page 1 of We Will Not Be Silent--The White Rose Student Resistance Movement that Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

"Don't You Cry" by Mary Kubica

Don't You Cry by Mary Kubica is told from two points of view.  Quinn is Esther's roommate.  One day Quinn wakes up and Esther is not to be found.  Where did she go?  As days go by, Quinn discovers that maybe she did not really know Esther at all.

Alex is a young teen boy who sees a girl that he is drawn to and becomes more involved with her finding himself involved in something he never expected.  The tension mounts as both story lines play out until a totally unexpected ending that I did not see coming.

Mary Kubica knows how to keep you reading. I enjoyed all three books I've read by her.  The other two were The Good Girl and Pretty Baby.
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Fly Away" by Kristin Hannah

Fly Away by Kristin Hannah is about how Kate's death affects her husband, her three children and her long time best friend, Tully.  When Kate dies of Cancer, her husband is overwhelmed, the 8-yr.-old boys handle their grief differently and Marah, her teenage daughter flips out and makes some really bad choices that lead to trouble.  Through memories and flashbacks the reader gets to know about Kate's and Tully's friendship.

I liked this well-written book because the characters were so vulnerable and although it dealt with grief, depression, addiction and domestic violence, it gives a person hope showing that the past is the past and we can make good choices to give us a better future.  Loved the ending!  I've enjoyed several of Kristin Hannah's books and this is no exception--I recommend it.

This book is sort of the opposite of Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson in which it was the father who was dying of Cancer and the focus was on the months before he died.  However, in Fly Away, it is the mother who dies of Cancer and the focus is on what happens to those who love her after her death.  Both have teen daughters who are main characters in the books.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)     

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday - 6 This Week

Gerard's:

I knew him.  Oh my God, I would know him anywhere, even if it had been four years and the last time I'd seen him, that last night that had been so horrible, had changed my life forever. 

From page 27 of The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

When I went into Elle's bedroom for my usual 1:00 a.m. check on her first three nights home, I swear that dog just lay there on her bed and stared at me like I was a crazy lady.  His eyes seemed to say, "What are you doing here?  She's fine.  Go back to bed!"

From page 165 of Elle and Coach by Stefany Shaheen.

You were right.  About everything.  I just wasn't ready to hear it.  But I'm ready now.  For whatever happens.

From page 47 of The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight.


Karen's:

It was nice, like being wrapped in a warm-from-the-dryer blanket.  But when she came to, and saw where she was, it wasn't so nice. 

From page 3 of Fly Away by Kristin Hannah.

Doctors aren't allowed to be humane with humans.  Joe and everyone like him will be expected to suffer and suck it up, to endure zero quality of life while being a burden to everyone held dear until the bitter, gruesome end.

Page 268 of Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova.

The accident plays on a loop in my head.  I want to press pause but the film is relentless:  his body slamming against the windshield time after time after time.

From page 14 of I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

Wife and Husband Differ on "I Let You Go" by Clare Mackintosh

Karen's review 5/29/30:
I Let You Go by Clare Macintosh really annoyed me.  I started it but after Part I, took a long break from it because it made no sense to me.  It turned out to be a good story in the end, but it was very confusing along the way due to the strange writing style.  It is about solving the mystery of a hit-and-run driver who killed a little boy and domestic violence.  The fact it is an International Bestseller made me expect great things but I was disappointed.

This is not a book I looked forward to getting back to; however, I did plow my through it after breaking away from it three times to read other things.  The characters were not very likeable and even Jenny, the main character, was mostly annoying because she was so stupid.  This is written in first person but was very hard to follow because it was gold from several different views and was hard sometimes to know who was doing the talking.  Most books have the name of the individual who is talking at the beginning of the chapter so the reader knows right away; unfortunately, that is not the case with this one.  I found myself having to go back and re-read things several times to figure out who was saying what.  I guess the author did that on purpose just to confuse the reader, but I did not appreciate it.

Another thing that was annoying to me was how it jumped from the present to the past and back all through the book.  I know I am in the minority on this, but it just did not appeal to me at all due to the writing style and the characters.  The only character I really liked was Patrick, the vet.  Ian was plain horrible and did not like him at all, especially when he hit his wife on their wedding day, killed her cat on purpose and kicked the dog across the room.  This book did make me angry!  Even the detectives weren't very likeable for me.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more positive, but this is not one I liked much at all.
(1 star)

Gerard Liked it:
I Let You Go by Clare Macintosh is about a young boy who was with his mom, but ran ahead to get home first. He is killed when a car hits him and keeps on going! The cops look for a clue to find who could have done that. In the meantime, the boy’s mother is desperate to leave the accident scene behind and heads for a remote cottage where she hopes no one will know her.

This story is told in two parts: the first sets the scene and the second really gets into the action. It kept my interest. The second part is very good and I was anxious to see how everything would turn out. The unexpected twist at the end sealed the deal for me! This is well worth reading and goes on sale May 3, 2016.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
(Gerard's review 4/27/16, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Elle & Coach--Diabetes, the Fight for My Daughter's Life, and the Dog Who Changed Everything" by Stefany Shaheen

It's time for another dog book and Elle & Coach by Stefany Shaheen is a good one!  This is the true story of a young girl named Elle who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  It is told by Elle's mom and this turns their family routine into utter chaos.  She has three other younger children to look after.  As I read, I learned that the Diabetes needs 24-7 looking after.  They find a solution in Coach, a young dog.

I LOVED this book!  Stefany tells the story so well and I loved the dog too!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"The Outliers" by Kimberly McCreight is a YA Thriller

In The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight, a young teen girl named Wylie is reached out to by Cassie.  They have been on the outs, but Wylie knows Cassie needs her and she and Cassie's boyfriend head out to help her.  Soon though, Wylie knows this is big trouble!

I thought this thriller was very good.  I was into it from the first page.  The story flowed good and a twist at the end was very good, then the bombshell ending!  Looks like there may be a book 2.
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Inside the O'Briens" by Lisa Genova (Effects of Huntington's Disease)

Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova is about a Catholic Irish family living in Boston.  Joe, a cop, loves his wife, Rosie and his four grown children but starts acting strange.  He is diagnosed with Huntington's Disease (HD) but still tries to do his job without telling anyone.  When he is told it is a genetic disease, he is afraid for his children. 

I finally decided to read this book because my husband kept saying how good it was.  Inside the O'Briens informs the reader about HD through the life of Joe and his family.  We see how it doesn't just affect the person who has the disease, but everyone around him.  I liked Joe and felt sorry for him and his wife, and his son JJ the firefighter and his family; however, I did not care for the other three children much at all.

There is a blood test that can be done to see if a person has HD even before the symptoms show up so the big question in the book for the children is if they want to know.  It is thought-provoking because the reader can't help but question what they would do in this situation.  Would you want to know if you were going to have this disease in your future?  I don't think I would want to know ahead unless I was thinking about having a baby.

I did not care for the rough language throughout the book, nor for the lifestyles of Patrick and Katie which caused me not to like these characters, two of his grown children.  My husband loved this book, but I found it to be sad, depressing and was very disappointed in the ending that left me hanging.  I liked this author's other books much better:  Still Alice and Left Neglected.
(Karen's review, 2 stars)

See also my blog post inspired by this book:  Just sayin' We Should be Humane to Humans Too! 

Gerard's review 4/24/15, 5++ stars:
Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova is about Joe, a Boston policeman.  He has been having some health issues and his wife wants him to see a doctor.  He thinks it is nothing, but agrees to go.  It turns out he has Huntington Disease!  You find out all about it when you read this book--trust me, you do not want this disease!  Not only that, but his kids are at risk of getting it too.

Lisa Genova's books are always top notch and this is no exception.  I loved the interaction between Joe and his wife and kids.  This book had me from page 1.  Make sure you read the "Call to Action" part of this book as well.  The ending is perfect!  I LOVED this book and highly recommend it and her other book too:  Still Alice and Left Neglected.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Lilac Girls" by Martha Hall Kelly

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly is told by three different points of view.  During World War II, Kasia is a Polish teenager and will do what she can to help her people fight Hitler and his army.  Herta is a German doctor and wants to prove that she is as good as a man.  Caroline works in the French Consulate in New York and when Hitler sets his sight on France, her world changes.

Kasia's story is the one I enjoyed the most.  She is a brave girl!  Her story alone makes this a "must read" book.  Herta's story came in second; I could not believe her thought process!  Caroline's story was okay and got better at the end.  I think The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is better; however, that being said, this book is very good too!  When you are done reading this, be sure to read the Author's Note too!  This is my best read for this month!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Defender" by Graham McNamee

Defender by Graham McNamee is a creepy mystery about family secrets that Tyne and her friend, Stick accidentally discover and proceed to figure it out.  Tyne is the building superintendent's high school daughter who is really tall and plays center on her basketball team.   When Tyne find's a dead girl's cut up body hidden in her basement wall, she thinks her dad knows something about it or had something to do with it.

This is a very quick read that I liked okay.  It is creepy though but had a good ending.  To me, this came across as a bit unrealistic that Tyne and Stick could put together the pieces to the mystery so easily.  (Karen's review, 3 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!