"Point Guard" by Mike Lupica

Point Guard by Mike Lupica is about a middle school boys’ basketball team that Cassie tries out for and gets accepted.  She is good friends with Gus, Jack, and Teddy who often hang out and play pickup games together.  Gus is the only one who seems to view having a girl on their team as a problem, even if she is as good as the guys.  The book follows the team’s season and Gus learns how to play with people he doesn’t like and also admits he was wrong about Cassie. 

There is a lot of friendship issues in this book that I doubt boys would care about much.  I think girl basketball players would enjoy this book more than boys.  I thought it was okay but liked others by this author much better.  

(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Teaser from pg. 27:  Gus still wasn't sure if he could explain, even to himself, why he thought Cassie didn't belong, why he didn't want a girl on the team, even if she was his good friend.  He just told himself to focus on being happy that Teddy was in the gym, even as unhappy as he was that Cassie was with him.

 

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"Future Lost" by Elizabeth Briggs

Future Lost by Elizabeth Briggs is the third book in the Future Shock trilogy.  Elena and Adam must stop a virus from getting out so back to the future they go!  I thought the first two books were really good but couldn't really get into this one.  It felt a little too predictable.  The writing was okay, it just did not flow well for me.
(Gerard's review, 3 stars)

Teaser from page 13:  That calm intelligence I love has been replaced by a wild look, both determined and manic, and I don't know how I didn't see it before.  Genicote has become an obsession for him, and developing it has become his addiction.

Karen's review:
I tried to read this one, but started it and just lost interest practically right off the bat.  I liked the first two, but that was enough for me.  I gave up on this pretty quick, maybe just because it has been so long since I read the second book.  Anyhow, I didn't want to read this because I had others that interested me more.

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"Draw the Circle" by Mark Batterson

Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson is a devotional book on prayer along with a workbook and a DVD. Our church encouraged everyone to do this study together for 40 days so my husband and I read this book and participated together. The DVD is simply the author talking about the same exact things he wrote in the book. In my opinion, the DVD is redundant and not needed if you read the book.

I thought the book was very interesting and it helped me to improve my prayer time and inspired me to pray more using scripture. It also challenged me to have a prayer journal again. I enjoyed reading about the amazing answers to some prayers that he shared in this book. I did not agree with everything in the book, but most was very good and Biblical.
(Karen's Review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 28:  Almost like hunger pangs that hit you after going too long without eating, I couldn't go too long without hitting my knees.  Kneeling became almost as instinctual as eating or sleeping.

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QB 1 by Mike Lupica is a Heartwarming Sports Story

QB1 by Mike Lupica is about Jake Cullen, a high school freshman quarterback who is struggling with trying to be as good as his dad and older brother and win his father’s love and attention. Jake feels like he’s always playing second fiddle to Wyatt who is now starting QB at University of Texas. Jake is smart, but doesn’t have quite as strong an arm as Wyatt. Fortunately, his high school coach got him to change his throwing mechanics to create his own throwing style which works better Troy Cullen, Jake’s dad, is a former player whose pro career ended in just his second year after four concussions (brain wounds) and seems to be living vicariously through his older son, Wyatt. When Jake finds himself in a QB controversy, everyone is pretty surprised when he gets to be the starting QB while only a freshman. His father is caught off-guard at how good Jake got so quickly.

I enjoyed this book very much because there was a lot of football in it as well as the team dynamics and the feelings of insecurity Jake was dealing with concerning his father and older brother. This takes a good look from the perspective of a younger brother feeling the pressure of following in his star brother’s footsteps and yearning for some of his father’s attention. This book got my interest and kept it from page 1. I would recommend it to anyone who likes high school football and team dynamics.
 (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 13: He knew already that he just wasn’t going to be the player his dad had been before him, certainly wasn’t going to be the player his big brother had been.
He had talent, just not Cullen talent, at least not that he’d noticed so far in his young life.


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"Us Against You" by Fredrick Backman--We Both Liked This!

Us Against You by Fredrick Backman is the sequel to Bear town. It is about the aftermath of the rape of Maya and how Bear town and Hed become not just rivals, but enemies! This book really centers on the community and the way society changes. There are many well-developed characters in this, not just the hockey players. When the hockey coach takes most of his good players and plays for Hed instead, Bear town has to rebuild its team, starting with finding a new coach who is a woman! This second book shows how politicians use their power and comparisons are drawn between them and “the pack.” The characters feel like real people—both good and bad at the same time with real life problems.

This book started out pretty slow for me because I’m not into politics and wanted more hockey. The beginning of the book is spent on political deals and trying to build up a hockey team, but then the violence started and I began to get attached to the characters. I really liked Benji, the pack, Ramona, Vidar, Amat, Jeanette (martial arts teacher) and Elisabeth Zackell (hockey coach). This is mostly a sad story with a few bright spots. It is about loyalty and dynamics of friendships which I found interesting. If you enjoyed Bear town, I think you will also enjoy the sequel.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review:
Us Against You by Fredrick Backman is the follow-up to Bear Town and is as good!  It picks up where Bear town left off.  I loved both these books!  I really enjoyed all the different people in this one.  The writing is so good I read every word!  What I enjoyed most was that from page to page I never knew what character was going to tell the story next or what the outcome would be.  The twists and turns were very good!  I WANT MORE BEAR TOWN!
(5++ stars) 

Teaser from pg. 9: The worst thing we know about other people is that we’re dependent upon them. That their actions affect our lives.


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"Neverworld Wake" by Marisha Pessl

In Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl, Beatrice has five cool friends she made in high school.  Her boyfriend was the sixth and the leader of the group!  He has a shocking death and two year later, Beatrice is not over it.  Now the old gang is getting back together for the first time since high school graduation.  Beatrice decides to go because she knows secrets about her friends and maybe she can get some answers about her boyfriend's death.

For the most part, this book was pretty good.  Some parts were far fetched, but the ending chapters more than made up for that!  Beatrice was a real good character!  Give this a shot!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)  

Teaser from page 30:  "You're all nearly dead.  Wedged between life and death."

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"Lying in Wait" by Liz Nugent is a Wild Read!

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent is told by multiple people.  The two main people who tell it are Lydia and Laurence.  They are a mom and son.  Lydia made Laurence share a secret that is the central part of this book. 

I thought this book was wild!  In a good way!  Secrets come out that will have your head spinning.  There are some dull spots, but for the most part the pacing of this book is really good.  The last part of this book will have you turning pages and the ending is one that I did not see coming at all!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 47:  "I was a fool to go along with your crazy plan.  I did it because I loved you."

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"Life in a Jar--The Irena Sendler Project" by Jack Mayer

Life in a Jar--The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer is so Good!  What started out as a school project turned into something that has touched many lives!  Four young Kansas teens discovered the true story of Irena Sendler, and what a story it is!  This book is told in three parts.  Part 1 is the girls discovering Irena's story.  Part 2 is the main part of the book.  The true story of how Irena risked her life every minute of every day to save 2,500 children from the Germans and certain death!  Part 3 is the girls meeting Irena! 

I thought the main part of the book was so captivating I found it hard to put down!  Irena was a true hero!  I loved this book!  Part 3 when the girls met her in person was really good too!  You owe it to yourself to read this book!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 160:  "Doesn't this make you nervous?" Irena Schultz said.  "A few orphans every week is one thing--ten times that many--and not orphans--that's quite another."

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"Underdogs" by Mike Lupica

The Underdogs by Mike Lupica is a football story about a youth football team in a small town that can’t afford another season. Will comes up with a way to save the team, but they are one player short until they let a girl try out. Of course, there is some tension over letting a girl on the team and also they need a coach. Will is determined to not let the town take away football from and actively seeks a coach.

This is predictable, but a very good football story with dads and sons bonding, a girl proving she can play, and overcoming many hurdles to get to the championship game. I liked the football action, the team dynamics and the interaction between Will and Grayson.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page  83:  So Will wasn't even close to giving up yet, on the season or on Toby or getting the coach he wanted, the coach he knew would be perfect for his underdog team.  What did his dad always say?  'If you don't think you can, you can't.'

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"Aftermath" by Kelley Armstrong

Aftermath by Kelley Armstrong is a book straight out of the real world with a high school shooting, but this has a twist, trust me! This book deals with it three years later. Skye comes back to her hometown where her brother was the shooter. As you would expect, people do not exactly welcome her back. This book is also told by Jesse, who was Skye’s best friend/boyfriend. His brother was killed in the shooting and he is still dealing with it.

I thought this book was really good! It was told very well. Skye and Jesse were both very likeable. I thought the ending was okay but could have been better. That being said, it is still good and I give it 5 stars!
(Gerard's review)

Teaser from page 8:  I see their expressions, and I crumple to the floor.  I hear this scream, this terrible scream, and I realize it's coming from me.


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"Summer Ball" by Mike Lupica

Summer Ball by Mike Lupica is a story about Danny, a short 13-yr-old who loves playing basketball.  His dad used to play but had an accident so had to stop.  When his dad wants to send Danny to the Right Way Basketball camp for three weeks, he really does not want to go.  He knows kids will make fun of him and he'll have to prove he can play with guys who are bigger all over again.  He is disappointed when he finds out he is not bunking with his buddies and then gets stuck with an old grouchy coach who he doesn't like.  Danny decides to stick it out and makes some new friends.  He gets his chance to prove he can play.

I enjoyed this book once Danny got to basketball camp.  It has a lot of basketball games, tips for practicing and strategies.  It also has a bit of bullying and follows Danny through his ups and downs.  I think anyone who enjoys basketball would like this book, especially short kids who play basketball!
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 48:  "I never have to play basketball," Danny said.  "I always want to play."  Then he made a sudden cut to the basket.

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"Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky tells the true story of the people who lived and died as the Germans came and took over Paris, France.  This was good stuff!  A lot of people dealt with this in so many different ways!  The writing puts you right in the middle of this.  The author of this book was arrested and died in a German concentration camp.  This manuscript was hidden for years before being discovered.  this is a very good non-fiction historical book!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars) 

Teaser from page 15:  Monsieur Pericand looked at him.  "My poor boy!" was all he said.

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"I'll Be Gone In The Dark" by Michelle McNamara

In I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, some person is going around killing people.  The police label him "The Golden State Killer."  Michelle wants him stopped and goes all in on doing just that!

This book was like a book version of the TV show, "Dateline."  Michelle was a consultant for that show.  I found it very interesting how she put the pieces of the murders together to try to find the killer.  The book has been on the New York Times  Best Seller list for a long time.  I see why!  It's very good.  Sadly, Michelle passed away.  May she rest in peace.  She sure put together a great book!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 6:  My husband was on his side, sleeping.  I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at him until he opened his eyes. 
     "I think I found him," I said.  My husband didn't have to ask who "him" was.

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"Heat" by Mike Lupica

Heat by Mike Lupica is a story about Michael, a little league pitcher who loves baseball, has a very strong arm and a big secret he shares with his older brother, Carlos.  They are from Cuba, just like Michael's favorite Yankee pitcher!  He pitches lights out until a rival team challenges his eligibility because they can't believe he's only 12.  When he signed up to play, they accepted his baptism certificate as proof of age, but now must produce a birth certificate which his dad apparently forgot to bring when they left Cuba.  He can't play until he gets it!  Michael only cares about playing ball until he sees a mystery girl named watching them practice with an arm as strong as his and is immediately attracted to her.  

I enjoyed this baseball book and liked Michael's relationship with his best friend and catcher, Manny.  There is also some humor along with some actual games.  I liked how Michael and Carlos stuck together and went to great lengths to keep their big secret.  Ellie also added some extra bit of interest to the story.  I recommend this to anyone who likes reading about youth baseball.  I was a bit disappointed that it stopped short of the Little League World Series game in Pennsylvania.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 44:  Michael turned around and looked at Manny.  Who was staring at the girl in the distance the way you stare at fireworks the first time you see them in the sky.  "I saw," Manny said.

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"The Outsider" by Stephen King

In The Outsider by Stephen King, a Little League baseball coach is arrested on the field for the murder of a young child.  The police have a witness that placed him at the crime scene and DNA all over the crime scene indicates he was there.  However, other witnesses claim he was at a book convention far away from the murder scene when the crime was committed.  How can he be in two places at the same time??? 

There is good stuff here.  This kept my interest and kept me turning pages.  The only problem I had was that the ending dragged out.  That being said, I enjoyed this, and if you are a Stephen King fan, you will too!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 21:  "You can preach to the multitudes later, Maitland.  Right now you're going to jail."

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"Ellen" by Rachel Wesson

Ellen is Book 6 in the Clover Springs Mail Order Bride series by Rachel Wesson that I am enjoying very much! The author introduces one main character in each book and the reader sees how the small town in Colorado gradually builds up. I’m loving it! Ellen is Katie’s sister. Ellen got a chance to attend a University to become a school teacher, but discovered it was harder than expected and returned to Clover Springs. She starts teaching again in Clover Springs and Father Molloy comes for a visit with two orphans who are mixed breeds. Talk of an orphanage for the town comes up and plans go forward. Some matchmaking ensues for Ellen and Samuel Higgins, but can a fire destroy their dream?

I didn’t feel Ellen was as a dynamic character as the first five so this book was not quite as good as the others in my opinion, but it went quickly and I still enjoyed it. (4 stars)


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"Dog Medicine" by Julie Barton

Dog Medicine by Julie Barton is a true story about how her dog helped her. Julie had a rough childhood to say the least. She tried to go it alone and that turned into a total disaster. She needed help and fast! She decided to get a puppy! She could not even take care of herself so it was hard to see how she would manage to take care of a young dog.

I LOVED this book! I rooted for Julie all the way! This is a very short book. It goes fast so give it a chance, you will be glad you did! (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 104:  And, miraculously, I knew in that moment that I was more than capable of caring for him.  I felt enormously driven to create a space for Bunker that felt safe, free of all worry, fear, and anxiety.

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"Team Players" by Mike Lupica

Team Players by Mike Lupica is a children’s book about a girls’ softball team and a boys’ baseball team that I enjoyed. Cassie, an eighth grader, is a good athlete and loves sports. She has some close friends who are boys that she hangs out with. Her dad coaches her softball team and they are good! When a new girl, Sarah, tries out, she easily makes the team because she is so fast and has a great arm. For never having played before, she is pretty amazing and can hit the ball too! She seems weird though to the other girls because of some quirkiness due to her Asperger’s. When Cassie tries to help her fit in, things get crazy causing a lot of drama on her team! Meanwhile, the boys’ team her friends are on have a new coach that is a total jerk so have drama of their own. He just yells constantly and is way too intense which takes all the fun of playing out of it.

This book is like getting a double-header since it covers the team dynamics and season of two teams, not just one. I read it in one day and enjoyed it very much. It is about friendship, sports, and teamwork. As an adult reading this, I identified more with the coach and tried to think how best to handle the dissension on the girls’ team. I highly recommend this to any kid who enjoys baseball or softball, but especially team dynamics.
(Karen's review,5 stars)

Teaser from page 33:  Cassie gave Greta her biggest smile now and said, "We've only known her for two days.  What I think would be weird is not giving her a chance to fit in."

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"The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah (We Both Liked This!)

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is a wild book! We meet the Allbright family. The husband Ernt, a former POW, Cora his wife and their daughter Leni. Ernt is still suffering flashbacks from the war and he has a hard time keeping a job and his temper. When a friend of his leaves him a house in Alaska, he wants a fresh start for him and his family. All will be well again!

I thought this book was really good! The three main characters are excellent and well brought out. At 644 pages (large print), this is no light read. I thought the pacing was okay and appreciated that it did not hop back and forth between present to past. A few twists caught me by surprise and I enjoyed the ending! (Gerard’s review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review (5 stars):  
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is about standing by those you love.  Leni is raised by her mother, Cora, and her father, Ernt who changes after he gets back from being a POW in the Vietnam war.  He is very abusive to his wife, but can't help it and she always forgives him.  Her and Leni are very close and both pretend everything is fine.  When Ernt decides to make a fresh start with his family in Alaska, the book gets quite interesting.  

I thought this book was very good even though it moved a bit slow.  It delves into several different relationships and explores love between an abusive husband and his wife, a love/hate relationship between a daughter and her father, young love between Leni and Matthew, and love between mothers and daughters.  Another aspect of this book is how the community helps each other.  This book shows how decisions and choices we make affect not only us but those we love as well. 

Teaser from page 21:  Dad wanted a new beginning.  Needed it.  And Mama needed him to be happy.

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"Allied" by Amy Tintera (Last of Ruined Series)

Allied by Amy Tintera is the last book in the Ruined trilogy.  Em and Olivia are sisters with very different ideas of how Ruined should be ruled!  Em wants and needs to have the man she loves, Cas, to stop Olivia.

I thought this book was a good way to end the series.  It had been a while since book 2 but I was able to get into this quick!  It has good action and Em and Cas are really good together.  The ending had me turning pages quickly!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Teaser from page 29:  Em swallowed.  Olivia was right, unfortunately.  Cas couldn't fight three enemies at once.

See our previous reviews of Ruined and Avenged.

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"Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Box Set" by Rachel Wesson

There are five books by Rachel Wesson in the Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Box Set:  Katie, Mary, Sorcha, Emer, and Laura. All are set in the 1880s.  If you are a fan of the TV show, "When Calls the Heart," I think you would like all of these!

The first, Katie, is about Katie and her sister heading west to get away from their mean uncle and aunt in Boston. Katie agrees to marry Montes Cassidy but on the way, the train is robbed and the engineer killed. She is stuck in a town called Clover Springs and meets lives at a boarding house owned by Daniel’s mother. She met Daniel on the train and sparks fly between them, but Montes agrees to come to Clover Springs to marry her. Katie wants to get of the wedding, but feels strongly about keeping her word.

The second in this series is Mary. She was Katie’s friend who came over from Ireland with her younger sister and her parents, but her parents died on the ship. Katie’s Uncle did not want to take in Mary and her sister, so they lived at the orphanage. Mary’s sister was adopted, and Katie set her up as a mail order bride for Davey, her brother-in-law. In this book, Katie has a child and Mary and Davey hit it off once Davey shares his past with Mary.

The third in this series is Sorcha. She was a friend of Mary’s from the orphanage and agreed to be a mail order bride to join Mary in Clover Springs. She came to be a wife to an older man with two little girls who had lost his wife and son and is still grieving and very overprotective, understandably. He was only interested in providing a mother for his girls but found himself falling in love with Sorcha.

The fourth in this series is Emer, Sorcha’s sister who was raised by their mother, a member of an outlaw gang. When her mother planned to sell her to sell and give her to Bill, the leader of the gang, Emer at 14 years old, took off to find her sister who she thought was still in Boston. Father Malloy arranged for a well-to-do family, the Shipley’s to take her to Denver with them so she could get to Clover Springs.

The fifth in this series is Laura who also used to room with Mary and Sorcha at the orphanage. She has a photographic memory and a birthmark which caused people to believe she was a witch. She married Johnny, a saloon owner who turned out to be very bad. He forced her to use her memory to help him cheat and win at cards. She finally went to Clover Springs when her husband got shot and found happiness with some old and new friends. There is some interesting action in this book and Little Bear helps save Laura’s life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series because each book kept my interest all the way through Every book is very balanced between adventure, romance and humor. They are all clean and reminded me of the TV show “When Calls the Heart.” I loved them all! I found out there is a next one named Ellen and hope to read that one as well. I highly recommend all these if you like historical fiction and/or western romance.
 (Karen's review, 5 stars)


Have you read any of these--you should! 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!

"Downsiders" by Neal Shusterman

Not even our dog was interested in this one!

Downsiders by Neal Shusterman is urban teen fiction about a whole community living underground New York City. How they got there in the first place is the mystery that Lindsey tries to solve. The people who live above ground are referred to as topsiders and only those who are depressed enough with nothing to lose are “chosen” to join the downsiders. Talon, a downsider meets Lindsey, a topsider and they feel a connection. Talon even goes so far as to break the rules and invite Lindsey down for a tour!

I thought this book was really goofy and very slow moving. I dozed off on it several times as I was reading it. The only character I really liked was Champ, an 85-yr.-old man who lived in an empty pool who Talon would visit with now and then and play games like Risk and Monopoly.   I do not recommend this one.
(Karen's review, 2 stars)

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"Our Little Secret" by Roz Nay

Our Little Secret by Roz Nay is told by Angela who tells it very well!   A woman is missing and detective Novak thinks Angela knows where and what happened to her.  I thought this book was VERY well done.  This is the author's first book too!  It feels like you are right in the room listening to her tell the story.  The pacing is perfect.  This is not a long book and went fast, had trouble putting it down.  Give this a read, you will be glad you did!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 47:  So many perfect days are stored in my head.  Novak brings me back if I take too long, and I try to let him see the moment I've just relived.

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"Sometimes I Lie" by Alice Feeney -- Left me Hanging

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney is told by Amber. She is in a hospital and in a coma! To find out how she got that way and why, you will have to read the book. This book goes back in time a lot, which I’m not really a big fan of; however, in this book it sort of makes sense because what you think you know, you don’t! I think the author tried to get too cute in this, her first book. Even after I read it, I’m still not sure what is what! That being said, I do recommend it. It is memorable!
(Gerard’s review, 4.5 stars)

Teaser from page 15:  Although I am frightened, some primal instinct tells me that I will get through this.  I will be okay, because I have to be. 


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"Be Mine" by Rick Mofina

Be Mine by Rick Mofina is a thriller about Molly, a news reporter who is stalked by a killer. Her stalker just kills anyone who shows any romantic interest in her, thinking that leaves the way open for him to have her. The story opens with Molly is waiting for Hooper, a cop and a good guy, at the restaurant. She was going to end their relationship because he was getting too serious. Hooper was going to propose to her that night! Unfortunately, he never showed and when she went to his home, she found him murdered!

This was a good book, went pretty fast. Basically, there were several likely suspects and the real killer was someone I didn’t even think about as a possibility. I enjoyed it, but didn’t really care all that much for Molly, the main character.
 (Karen's review, 4 stars)


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"Tower Lord" by Anthony Ryan

Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan is the follow-up to Blood Song, which I loved! In the book, unlike the first, the story is told by other people than Vaelin. It is told by Reva, Frentis and Lyrna as well. A lot goes on in this book which is a good thing at 600 pages. The main story is Vaelin building up an army to fight in the war. The action parts are very good and I enjoyed when Vaelin told the story the most. I also liked the parts with Snowdance, the war-cat! I didn’t like this quite as much as the first, but good enough. Vaelin is awesome!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 15:  Despite his scorn the words were enticing.  "You were there when it was taken from my father's martyred corpse."

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"Blood Song" by Anthony Ryan--Husband Loved It, Wife Hated It!

In Blood Song by Anthony Ryan, Vaelin is only ten when his father takes him to join the sixth order.  The sixth Order is devoted to battle to protect the realm and the faith!  The book is told by the point of view of Vaelin.  I really enjoyed the first part of the book when he goes through training exercises with his band of brothers.  There is good action in this book with some twists that surprised me.  At 575 pages, this is no light read to say the least, but I was caught up in it and pretty much enjoyed it all!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review, 4/25/18:
Blood Song by Anthony Ryan is like a marathon; I was so glad when I finally finished it! This is a fantasy that I really did not like much at all—only a few parts. It’s about Vaelien who is sent to the Sixth Order to learn to kill, supposedly to defend the faith and the realm. Part I was the best in my opinion, and then it went downhill from there. It is filled with fighting, murder, betrayal, and war.

Here are the few things I liked:

1) The training at the Sixth Order.
2) Vaelien’s relationship with sister Sherin, Snowdance (a huge cat that was in it very little).
3) Vaelien’s Valarian slave-hound named Scratch, and his horse named Spit.

Here are the things I did not like:

1) The writing was hard to follow because it kept going back and forth from present to past and often I had to reread passages to figure out who was speaking.
2) Too many characters and then some even were called by several different names!
3) Characters I really liked got killed.
4) The names were hard to remember.
5) I had a hard time understanding how the magic worked.
6) The whole plot was hard for me to follow.
7) Lots of different countries to keep straight and I didn’t really understand what the war was all about—it made no sense to me.
8) The ending was horrible! I felt so let down and that I wasted so much time reading this.  The only good part of the ending was when he let Spit run free!

I know I am in the minority on this book, it got lots of very good reviews. However, I was extremely disappointed in it and therefore give it just 2 stars. I will not be continuing on with this series.


Teaser from pg. 29:  "Your first day in the Order is over," he told them.  "It is a rule of the Order that you can leave in the morning if you wish.  It will only get harder from now on so think carefully."

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"Glimpse" by Jonathan Maberry

Glimpse by Jonathan Maberry is about a woman named Rain.  She still feels guilty for giving up her baby at 16.  The boy's father died in Iraq.  One day she gets a pair of glasses from someone and thinks she sees a young boy, but no boy is found and she misses a whole day!  I think you get the idea, Rain is a mess.  As she tries to get help, she runs into many different characters. I thought this book was pretty good.  Rain was an interesting character to say the least and I loved the ending!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 63:  My blood pressure kept going up, too, and I had all sorts of heart problems.  Arrhythmia and palpitations.  Then I was diagnosed with preeclampsia.  It was a mess.

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"The Gunners" by Rebecca Kauffman

The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman tells the story of a group of childhood friends who are now adults and come together at a funeral of a girl who was in their circle of friends.  Long-held secrets come out and some truths are told!  I thought this was pretty good.  I enjoyed all the characters and found them to be funny and interesting.  It has a real nice ending and goes quick, only 257 pages.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from pg. 35:  "Long story," Lynn said.  "Ill tell you later."

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"The Last Namsara" by Kristen Ciccarelli is GREAT!

The Last Namsara  by Kristen Cicarelli is a fun, adventurous read!  If you like fantasy, I highly recommend this.  Asha is a girl who was scarred from being badly burned by a dragon but lived.  Her father has promised her to marry someone she does not like who is very controlling.  Fortunately, her father gave her a way out if she brings him the head of Kozu, the first dragon--the one who burned her as a child. She is determined to do it!  There are many secrets though and as they are revealed, everything changes!

I liked this book a lot because it was fast-paced with lots of adventure, an interesting plot including forbidden love and strong characters.  I liked Shadow and Kozu, the two dragons, very much!  My favorite parts of the book were when Asha and Torwin rode on the dragons.  The brother/sister dynamic was interesting as well.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard's review, 4/1/18, 5++ stars:
In The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli, Asha is the daughter of the king, but she is also the Iskari--dragon hunter.  She has one more dragon to kill and only so much time to do it!  If not, well Asha does not want to think about that!  It will change her life forever, and not in a good way.

WOW, DID I LOVE THIS BOOK!  Asha is a great character!  Nothing or nobody keeps her down for long!  I really enjoyed the story line and the other characters were good also!  This kept me turning pages quickly!  I am really looking forward to Book 2.


Teaser from page 120:  "The Old One can try all he likes to stop me, but I'm going to find Kozu.  And when I do, I'm going to kill him."

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"Unpunished" by Lisa Black

Unpunished by Lisa Black is the sequel to That Darkness. This is a murder mystery about four employees of the Herald, a Cleveland newspaper who were murdered and two other murders of people who did not work there. These murders were sometimes quite gruesome! Jack Renner is again on the case and Maggie, the forensics tech is working with him on the same murders. Everyone at the paper is worried about losing their jobs as the written newspapers become extinct and rumors fly about another company taking them over. Did Jack stop killing like he promised Maggie and what is going on at the paper where all these employees are being murdered? Will Maggie be able to keep her secret?

This book dragged along for me and I did not care for it. There was a lot of narration about the decline of newspapers in America that I did not find interesting at all! It was pretty obvious who the killer was early on. The focus was mostly on the investigation into the various murders. I was way more interested in the first book, That Darkness, than this one in spite of its creepiness.
(Karen’s review, 2 stars)

Teaser from pg. 23: Instead their attention rested on a man who hung in midair between that platform and the next lower one, swinging ever so slightly from the end of a thin white rope. The other end of the rope had been attached to the railing the men stood behind.


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"Genesis" by Brendan Reichs

Genesis by Brendan Reichs is the second book in the Nemesis series.  As in the first book, the story is told by Noah and Min.  They are trying to find out what comes next in "The Program" and what the guardian has in store for them.  I thought this book was just as good, if not better, than the first.  There is good action and a good twist near the end.  Too bad I have to wait until spring of 2019 for book 3!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 3:  I'd been murdered over and over back in the real world, never knowing why, wracked by the pain and humiliation of thinking I was crazy.  But I'd had it all wrong.

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"Not If I Save You First" by Ally Carter

In Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter, Maddie and Logan are young teen friends.  Logan is the President's son.  Maddie is the daughter of the man who helps keep the President safe.  They get caught up in an incident at the White House that will make this an adventure for both of them.

This is pretty good stuff.  There is good action and I liked Maddie and Logan; plus it has a good ending!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 19:  For a second, the world stood still, and then he pulled the trigger just as Maddie's father jumped between the man and Logan.
   And fired.

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"That Darkness" by Lisa Black (Contemporary Fiction)

That Darkness by Lisa Black takes place in Cleveland, Ohio and is a work of fiction that makes one think. It is about Jack Renner, a vigilante cop who makes sure the scumbags in Cleveland who got off before do not get off again! He takes care of them himself! He justifies it by the fact that he’s saving others from their exploits. Maggie, a forensic investigator for the Cleveland Police Department suspects him and finds herself in dangerous situations as she gathers evidence.

This book is very creepy and at first; I was feeling overwhelmed with so many dead bodies to keep track of. Then though, things settled down some and I got caught up in wondering what I would do if I were Maggie and whether I liked Jack or not. This is a book with adventure and suspense that makes you think. It is definitely not a happy little story with a predictable ending, nor is it a murder mystery.  There is no mystery at all so if that's what you are looking for, you will be disappointed. I look forward to reading the sequel, Unpunished next.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 172:  "That in times of crisis, morality is the first thing to go out the window.  It becomes a luxury people just can't afford."


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"I Was Anastasia" by Ariel Lawhon (Historical Fiction)

In I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon, on July 17, 1918 Valimir Lenin orders the entire Romanov family to be killed!  Germany, February 17, 1920, a young woman is pulled out of the water.  She looks like one of the daughters of the Romanov family.  Could this be?

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres so naturally, I thought this book was really well done.  It goes back and forth in time, but that only builds up the suspense.  There is good action that kept me turning pages.  I enjoyed the two dogs in the story very much!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 37:  "What do we do now?" I ask, my voice temulous with exhaustion and growing fear.  Jimmy, ever sensitive to my moods, presses his cold, wet nose against the back of my hand.

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"Marrying Miss Marshall" by Lacy Williams (Wild Wyoming Hearts Book 1)

Image from Amazon

Marrying Miss Marshall by Lacy Williams is an historical romance that I thoroughly enjoyed! This takes place in Wyoming territory in 1889 where the town of Calvin has a female Marshall, Danna Carpenter. She was appointed to replace her husband when he died in the line of duty. Chas O’Grady is a detective from Boston investigating cattle rustlers as well as revenge on the man who killed his brother and his sister-in-law. The Marshall and Chas meet when the Marshall rescues him from being trampled by a stampede! Although he’s shocked to see a woman Marshall, he grows to admire her and soon becomes her deputy since he needs a job.

This entertaining book has a good story line in addition to the love story between Danna and Chas. It has quite a bit of adventure which kept my interest and I liked both Danna and Chas. Danna’s dog, Wrong Tree, also added interest for me.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 7: Chas’s heart thundered in his chest, much like those hooves that had been so close to taking his life. This time for a different reason.


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"Year One" by Nora Roberts (Book 1 of Chronicles of the One Series)

In Year One by Nora Roberts, a virus is going around the whole world and the population is going down fast!  We follow a bunch of different people who are trying to deal with the madness that has ensued!  I thought this book was pretty good.  It kept my interest for the most part.  I enjoyed the mom who had twins and the female reporter the best and plan to read book 2.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 108:  Now Bob's eyes filled with tears.  "There's no point anymore.  No point.  False hope's just a lie in soft focus."

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"Close to the Bone" by Lisa Black

Close to the Bone by Lisa Black is a murder mystery that mostly takes place at the Cleveland medical examiner’s office! Theresa, acting supervisor for Trace Evidence, finds one deskman dead and the other missing when she heads into the office around 3 a.m. Upon investigation, it comes to light there is a serial killer on the loose targeting people who work at the medical examiner’s office who were connected to a murder of one of their employees ten years ago.

This is a pretty sad, gruesome book. It has several murders and an abduction in it. It is pretty good, but why Theresa is the one to solve the mystery instead of the cops was a bit puzzling to me. I liked the suspense and that it kept me guessing for most of the book.
(Karen’s review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 1:  The corpse under the sheet left her to it.  The dead are courteous that way.

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"My Brother's Keeper" by Donna Malana - Mystery

In My Brother's Keeper by Donna Malana, Karen hires Diane, a missing person expert, to track down her 14-yr-old daughter, Sonny, who she lost contact with while serving seven years in prison for killing her son and attempting to kill her daughter.  Karen wants to make sure Sonny is all right.  Diane tracks down Sonny and even sets up a meeting for her to meet her mother, but her mother doesn't show!

This is a dark, twisted mystery that I finished in one day.  It takes place in New Zealand and moved along quickly.  I thought this was a good mystery and felt bad for Sonny and the mother.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page10:  'That's what I went away for.  I tried to kill my daughter.'

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