The Cold Nowhere by Brian Freeman

The Cold Nowhere by Brian Freeman is a real good book!  A young girl hides under the porch while her mom is stabbed to death because the detective who was supposed to watch over her was too late.  Years later, they met up again. Is the young girl out for the guy or is somebody after her this time?  This is a real page turner with lots of action!
(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. Happy Reading!

Tuesday Teasers: 3 This Week

Gerard's:

The girl glanced at the dining room windows, as if she expected to see the face of her stalker framed behind the glass.  She was like a deer, alert and swift.  

From page 11 of The Cold Nowhere by Brian Freeman.  (My review will be up tomorrow.)

He was getting more of a cold, soulless kind of vibe.  Like those eyes could watch terrible things and not look away.

From page 7 of Lexicon by Max Berry.

Karen's:

 "History will be here soon enough, my friend.  And that's what this is, you know--history.  Yes, indeed, the first train to arrive in Wind River is quite a historic occasion."

From Location 70 on Kindle of Wind River by James Reasoner and L. J. Washburn.  (Just starting this one.)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"The Winter Horses" by Philip Kerr (UPDATED)

Watch this video to see Gerard and I discuss this book:


The Winter Horses by Philip Kerr is based on a true story, or I would like to believe that it really happened.  Read the book, then you decide.  It is about an old man and a young girl who save two horses that might be the last of their kind.  It takes place during World War II.  I liked both the main characters, the old man and the young girl.  I also liked the animals in the story--both horses and especially the dog!

This is a real page turner that I loved!   Give it a chance.  If you liked War Horse, you will like this one too because it's similar.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review:
The Winter Horses by Philip Kerr is a moving historical novel about Kalinka, an Ukrainian Jewish orphan girl who saves a couple very special Przewalski’s (pronounced “shuh-VAHL-skeez”) horses during World War II with the help of an old man named Max, a loyal wolfhound named Taras, a kind German army Captain and a kind Russian Major.  The wild horses did their part in the struggle to survive as well.

This is an amazing story that made me cry three times!   It addresses the wide range of how low and how kind people can be.  Part of the book I especially enjoyed were the words of wisdom Kalinka remembered her grandfather saying.  It is a wonderful story about a girl’s special connection with a couple wild horses and a great dog too!  Although it had several very sad and disturbing parts, I loved it!  It is a page turner that I didn’t want to put down. 


Join in with Mama Kat's Vlogging prompt:  Book Review.

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!

"Far From You" by Tess Sharpe is a Real Page Turner!

Far From You by Tess Sharpe is a YA novel about a special friendship between two young girls, Sophie and Mina.  One night they are confronted by a masked man.  Sophie is knocked out and Mina is killed.  Sophie will not rest until she finds the killer that the policy cannot seem find.

This is a real page turner.  I was always anxious to pick up where I left off.  The writing is really good and the main character, Sophie, is awesome!  Loved the ending 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. Happy Reading!

"Safe Keeping" by Barbara Taylor Sissel

Safe Keeping by Barbara Taylor Sissel concerns a family where the boy in the family is being charged with the murder of a young lady.  This is a very good page turner.  I especially enjoyed the interaction between the wife and husband and the sister and the brother.  All the family members have problems that add to the story.  I think this would make a real good lifetime movie!
(Gerard's review, 5++)

Now see what Karen thought about it:

Safe Keeping by Barbara Taylor Sissel is about a family whose 34-yr.-old son, Tucker, is charged with murder.  His father, Joe, is a disabled Vietnam vet with PTSD who constantly lives with regret of holding a gun on Tucker when he was only 4-yrs-old and locking him in the closet.  His mother, Emily and older sister, Lissa have always been protective of Tucker and want to believe in his innocence.  When Lissa finds out she is pregnant, she is afraid of becoming a mother because of all the pain her parents went through with Tucker and considers having an abortion, which causes friction between her and her husband, Evan.  The question is, is Emily and Joe’s son really a murderer?

This book is all about the family and the effects of that horrible day when Joe flipped out with Tucker.  Tucker claims he is innocent of murder but there is a lot of circumstantial evidence against him.  I liked this book and thought the ending was great!  It also has discussions questions that could be used for a book club. (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. Happy Reading!

Tuesday Teasers: Two Today

Karen's:

"Like I said before, God help us if that turns out to be the case."  Roy stuffed his shirt hem into his jeans and threaded his belt through the loops.  "I'll tell your right now, I can't handle that again."

From page 10 of Safe Keeping by Barbara Taylor Sissel..

Gerard's:

No food, no warmth, no help.  Except for a loyal dog and two remarkable horses she is trying to save, against all odds.  Her only allies.

From back cover of The Winter Horses by Philip Kerr.

 Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"Daisy and Josephine" by Melissa Gilbert

We both enjoyed this short children's book, Daisy and Josephine by Melissa Gilbert with illustrations by Julia Kuo.  It is about a lonely little girl who loves her dad and travels around with him, but doesn't really have any friends until one day her daddy gives her a strange looking dog.  This book actually made me laugh out loud when the girl tried playing with her dog who didn't want to play.  You will have to read the book to find out how they finally bonded and what they agreed to do.  It was interesting to me that the author has a French Bulldog named Josephine.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

This book tells a very short story about a little girl and her dad.  She follows her dad on the road but would like some companionship.  Her dad gets her a dog.  The story and the drawings in this book are really good.  If you have a young child, it's a very good read they will enjoy.  I know I did!
(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. Happy Reading!

"Confessions--The Private School Murders" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Confessions:  The Private School Murders by James Patterson is a YA mystery with a very brave main character, Tandy, who helps the NYPD solve murder mysteries and gets her older brother cleared of killing his pregnant girlfriend.  When her parents are murdered, her Uncle Peter gets Jacob (an Israeli) to be guardian for her and her brothers.   He was my favorite character—what a good guy!  The kids’ parents were strange to say the least and drugged their kids so they would not feel emotion.  They pushed their children to excel.  Tandy is obsessed with saving lives—she was kept busy trying to clear her brother of the murder charge, finding her long lost love whom her parents tried erasing from her mind, solving the deadly pest control problem in her building, and solving the mystery of the murder of four dead girls from private schools. 

 

The novel is written in a way that has Tandy telling us what happened and at some points breaks from the story to speak directly to the reader about her feelings.  This is a good read with lots going on.  Parts are touching, suspenseful, and heartwarming.  The ending made me want to cheer!

(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. Happy Reading!

"Stronger" by Jeff Bauman with Bret Witter

Being a huge Boston fan, it is a "no brainer" that I was going to read Stronger by Jeff Bauman with Bret Witter.  I read it and loved it!  Jeff was one of only two people who lost both of their legs at the Boston Marathon last year when the bomb went off.  He was able to identify the bomber for the cops.  I especially liked the part that dealt with his recovery which proved what Jeff was made of--Boston Strong!  Thanks for telling your story, Jeff, and God bless you and Erin!
(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. Happy Reading!

We Have Different Opinions of "Dear Killer" by Katherine Ewell

 Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell is a quick read that kept me turning the pages to see if the killer gets caught.  In this book, the "Perfect Killer" is the main character.  Kit was taught to be a killer by her mother for money--yes, they were both killers.  The mom "retired" from killing and turned over the job to her daughter (nice, huh?).  When Kit is killing, she goes by Diana, I think so she can live with herself.  The killings are not real gory but there are many! It's hard to give a book 5 stars if you don't like the main character.
(Karen's review 4/29/14, 4 stars)

Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell is told by Kit, a young girl who is the "Perfect Killer."  Why? you ask. You will have to read the book to find out that one.  Kit was taught by her mom and taught well.  Then one thing happens that will change her way of life, or will it?

I really enjoyed this book a lot!  I thought the writing was very good and Kit is an amazing character.  Put this on your T.B.R. list.  It's that good.  I LOVED it!  This is the best book I've read this month so far.
(Gerard's review 4/16/14, 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!

Tuesday Teasers: Two Today (Updated)

Karen's:

"We don't expect people to care."  He flopped down on his back, lying diagonally across his mattress with his arms crossed over his chest.  "Jacob actually cares about us.  Us!"

From page 115 of Confessions-The Private School Murders by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.

Gerard's:

She had never achieved my fame. The Perfect Killer--there's not a person in London who doesn't know and fear that name nowadays.

From page 4 of Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell (age 17).

(Had to do this at the library-no computer yet.)

 Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"Black Chalk" by Christopher J. Yates

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates deals with six young college students.  They play a game where the challenges get more and more daring.  There can be only one winner.  The parts of the book that deal with the game were very interesting and I was into it.  However, there was a lot of stuff that I could have done without.  This is more of a mind book than an action book.  The ending part was very good though.
(Gerard's review, 3 1/2 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!

"I Remember You" by Yrsa Sigurdardouir

In I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardouir you get two stories that are really good!  The first story is three friends go to a remote island to fix up a house.  The second story is about a detective who is haunted by his missing son.  This book goes back and forth between the two.  I really enjoyed it a lot!  It is a real page turner!
(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. Happy Reading!

"Elusion" by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam is Very Good!

Imagine if you could escape to a land where you could just relax and enjoy fresh air and the beauty of nature.  That is what Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam gives you.   But is there trouble in paradise? 

I loved this book because the lead character is really good and the concept makes it hard to put down.  This is an enjoyable YA science fiction read--just great!
(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. Happy Reading!

Tuesday Teasers: 3 This Week

Gerard's:

.I could Escape along with them if I wanted, but i haven't been to Elusion since late December.  Not even for a quick zip-trip, like these people are having.

From page 9 of Elusion by Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam. (teen Science fiction)

I couldn't hear bear the idea of him being gone.  Or even worse, of him suffering for years to come.  I didn't know what to say or what to do.  All I could do is cry.  Then he said something I'll never forget.

 From page 23 of The Priority List by David Menasche.  (See my review.)

Karen's:

"Why do you break my crunchy in half?"

 I heard his voice, his voice, Rufus's voice, as clearly as I have heard anything in my life--maybe clearer than most.

From page 54 of The Dog That Talked to God by Jim Kraus. (See Gerard's review)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"Breed" by Chasse Novak Gave Me the Willies!

Breed by Chase Novak deals with a couple who have very sound jobs, lots of money and a lovely home but they do not have any children and want some.  As a last resort, they go to Europe to have a procedure done that will make sure they will have children--but at what cost?

This book is creepy good!  It reminds me of the Stephen King horror books I used to read and love!  This book will give you the willies--I LOVED 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. Happy Reading!

"I Will Never Forget" by Elaine C. Pereira

I Will Never Forget—A Daughter’s Story of Her Mother’s Arduous and Humorous Journey through Dementia by Elaine C. Pereira is informative, heartbreaking and emotional.  Although it starts a bit slow, about halfway through I found myself really enjoying it.  This book gives a glimpse into what it’s like for those dealing with dementia.  I could certainly feel the daughter’s sadness when she realized her mom was worse off than she thought and had some difficult decisions to make.  This is a touching story of love between a mother and daughter that I could certainly relate to.  As I read, it made me even more thankful that neither of my parents suffered with dementia.  This book is an eye opener that gives insight into independent living, assisted living, Memory Care and Hospice facilities as the daughter shares about her mother’s journey.  I recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about how to deal with someone with dementia or wants to know more about the illness.   
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

(I was given a free copy to review but this did not affect my review.)

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!

"The Priority List" by David Menasche

The Priority List--A Teacher's Final Quest to Discover Life's Greatest Lessons by David Menasche is a true story about the author, a high school teacher who was diagnosed with brain cancer.  He lost his vision and for the most part, his mobility.  Vowing not to go out without a fight, he decides to go on a long trip with the help of his former students.  I could tell he must have been a fantastic teacher because his former students go way out of the way to help him.  One of the best parts of this book is the written test for many of his former students.

Here's a teaser from page 23:

I couldn't hear bear the idea of him being gone.  Or even worse, of him suffering for years to come.  I didn't know what to say or what to do.  All I could do is cry.  Then he said something I'll never forget.

I loved this book--it's a great story!  David shows that even now, he is still teaching.
(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. Happy Reading!

Our Favorite Reads For March

Gerard's Favorite:  The Deepest Secret

Karen's Favorite:  The Long Way Home

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!

"Mind of Winter" by Laura Kasischke is Fantastic!

Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke takes place on Christmas day!  Due to a blizzard, a family Christmas does not come off.  At home is just the mom and her teenage daughter.  What makes this book so good is the writing.  Mind of Winter hooked me from page one and did not let me go with a shocking ending I did not see coming at all.  This is a fantastic read I highly recommend! 
(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. Happy Reading!

Tuesday Teasers: Four Today

Gerard's:

Instead, they'd all overslept on Christmas morning, and Holly had woken up with this little horror in her mind, that something had followed them home from Russia.

Something evil?

Well, perhaps not evil.  But it had sapped them.  It continued to sap them.

From page 5 of Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke..

My brain feels divided, my thoughts bubbling over with fear and curiosity.  What do I know about this country I'm being driven into?

 
From page 4 of A Sliver of Light by Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal & Sarah Shourd.  (My review was up yesterday.)


Karen's:

Beneath her was blinding light, the kind of light you'd see just before you died.  All the people had merged with shadow, and for a second she was afraid she had died, that she was all alone on a tiny, bare surface, with an endless fall into the dark on either side of her.

From page 41 of Panic by Lauren Oliver. (See Gerard's review)

It angered and hurt me to see him be so brutal to her.  I tried to rationalize it as "the stroke," but she was still "my mom" and deserved better.

From I Will Never Forget--A Daughter's Story of Her Mother's Arduous and Humorous Journey through Dementia by Elaine C. Pereira.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!