Review: The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley

The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1 edition (February 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0440245095
ISBN-13: 978-0440245094
Rating: 5/5

Carla not only brings forth an awesome debut novel but one that really made me sit back and ponder over the "what if's" It's a book of real life horror/terror as a pandemic of the bird flu breaks out and the pandemonium that unfolds each day that goes by.

This is the story of a broken family that ultimately has to put aside their issues and join together for the good of the family thru a horrible deadly time. As each day goes by conditions worsen with the virus spreading all over, food supplies dwindling, neighbors against neighbors, losing all phone and electricity, and ultimately leads to murders and thievery just to survive.

I really enjoyed this book because it was so real and a horror that could actually happen to me. It made me want to run out and stock up on food and supplies. In all truth it scared me.

I'm sitting on nerves wondering what Carla's next book will be! Bring it Carla! You got my attention!

Review Copy Provided by Author/Publisher

Book Giveaway: The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock

The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 23, 2010)

 

 

"Sophie Heller's family immigrated from Germany to Victory, a small town in Illinois, before WWII began. Now that the war has affected the town, the townspeople discriminate against Sophie and her family. When a train derails, it is an accident but the Heller family is blamed. Coming to Sophie's rescue is a teacher from the high school, and despite their cultural differences, a romance starts to bloom. "

 

 

 

Thanks to Anna at Hatchette Book Group I have 5 copies of this wonderful book to giveaway to you guys! Giveaway is only open to residents of US and Canada    Sorry :( 

 

Just comment below if you'd like to be entered for a copy and the drawing will be on March 5.  You will have until midnight March 7 to respond to me with mailing information or another name will be drawn.

 

No emails will be sent!  Winners will be posted on blog!

 

Good Luck to all!

Review: Schooled In Lies by Angela Henry

Schooled In Lies by Angela Henry
Paperback: 354 pages
Publisher: Boulevard West Press (December 31, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615334326
ISBN-13: 978-0615334325
Rating: 5/5


Synopsis: "GED instructor Kendra Clayton's high school days were nothing to brag about. So she's not too thrilled when on top of having to take a class to renew her teaching certificate or be fired, she gets roped into serving on her high school's reunion committee. Spending time with her former classmates is even less fun than having a root canal. Then to make matters worse, Kendra and the other committee members start receiving strange messages and having freak accidents. When one of the accidents results in a death, Kendra is convinced it's murder. Unfortunately, neither the reunion committee nor the police take her seriously. To try and prevent another death-and to keep from worrying about all the time her sweetie, Carl, has been spending with his scheming ex-wife-Kendra digs into the lives of her fellow committee members and uncovers enough secrets, lies, and betrayal to make her head spin. When a second murder occurs, Kendra realizes she needs to watch her back in her search for the truth before a killer turns her into another buried secret."

My Feelings: This was my first book for Angela Henry but believe me I am certainly gonna be looking into some of her past ones because this was one fantastic work of fiction!

The story opens with the first murder and it's a roller-coaster ride from there with lots of high strung emotions and hints of betrayals. The plot really gets thicker and thicker as a web of mystery and mayhem is woven revolving around the committee "accidents".

I loved Kendra and her devil may care attitude! She's a caring and curious (or should we say nosy type person) but not to the point of letting anybody walk over her kind of individual. I would definately want her on my side! The other characters were very well described and unique in personalities just like real true life persons and situations.

I highly recommend reading this book if you love a good mystery!

Review Copy Provided by Author/Publisher
Synopsis Provided from Amazon

On My Wishlist (1)

Hosted by Book Chick City This week I'm adding these to my wishlist!  

 Generation Dead: Kiss of Life by Daniel WatersTo Be Released from Hyperion Book CH (May 4, 2010) Synopsis from Amazon "The phenomenon that’s been sweeping the country seems to be here to stay. Not only are the teenagers who have come back from their graves still here, but newlydeads are being unearthed all the time. While scientists look for answers and politicians take their stands, the undead population of Oakville has banded together in a group they’re calling the Sons of Romero, hoping to find solidarity in segregation. Phoebe Kendall may be alive, but she feels just as lost and alone as her dead friends. Just when she reconciled herself to having feelings for a zombie—her Homecoming date Tommy—her friend Adam is murdered taking a bullet that was meant for her . Things get even more confusing when Adam comes back from the grave. Now she has romantic interest in two dead boys; one who saved her life, and one she can’t seem to live without."   

 The Knife That Killed Me by Anthony McGowanTo Be Released from  Delacorte Books for Young Readers (April 13, 2010) Paul Vanderman could be at any normal high school where bullies, girls, and annoying teachers are just part of life. But “normal” doesn’t apply when it comes to the school’s biggest bully, Roth—a twisted and threatening thug with an evil agenda.

When Paul ends up delivering a message from Roth to the leader of a gang at a nearby school, it fuels a rivalry with immediate consequences. Paul attempts to distance himself from the feud, but somehow Roth keeps finding reasons for him to stick around. Then one day Roth hands him a knife. And even though Paul is scared, he has never felt so powerful.

Review: Strictly Sundays by Joe Fitzpatrick

Strictly Sundays by Joe Fitzpatrick
Paperback: 146 pages
Publisher: Book Publishers Network; 1st edition (September 25, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935359193
ISBN-13: 978-1935359197
Rating: 3/5

As the title says this is not your everyday kind of cookbook but more just for special occasions like maybe date night or Sunday dinners and so on because the meals are just far to fancy like for everyday eating and preparation in my house anyhow. We're all about quick and simple around here!

The book itself is lovely. I like the glossy pages and yummy looking pictures but was a bit surprised to not find any dessert recipes! It's just not Sunday Dinner without my dessert!

Sadly, I dont see me using this one very much at all. It's just too fancyish for my family and had only a few dishes that I'd probably ever attempt.

Review Copy Provided by Author/Publisher

Review: Da Cajn Critter by Pamela D. Lyles

Da Cajn Critter by Pamela D. Lyles

Spiral-bound: 192 pages
Publisher: The Cookbook Marketplace (October 8, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0980023602
ISBN-13: 978-0980023602
Rating: 5/5

I cant imagine not having this totally cool cookbook in my kitchen! The first thing that I really love about it is the fact that it's spiral bound. I love spiral bound cookbooks because they are so much easier to use and lay flater when your following a recipe.

I'm not gonna go into alot of detail on the yummy recipes because not only will you be salivating reading this but I am already sniffing around my kitchen hungry myself! A few I have tried myself and are really yummy yummy are "Mama Bea's Cheese Cookies, Seven Layered Mexican Dip, Sweet and Sour Cabbage Rolls, and the Hawaiian Kabobs" but it's got loads more that I intend to try!

There is a terrific section at the end of the book that has loads of tips for making the perfect cakes, candies, and other things as well as fun food facts, cooking with wine tips, table settings, and other useful tid-bits!

Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Review: Moonlight Falls by Vincent Zandri

Moonlight Falls by Vincent Zandri
Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: R. J. Buckley Publishing (November 20, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981965407
ISBN-13: 978-0981965406
Rating: 4/5

"Richard "Dick" Moonlight, former APD detective turned private investigator/massage therapist, believes he killed Scarlet Montana - his illicit lover and wife of his ex-boss, Chief of Detectives Jake Montana. The problem is ... Moonlight doesn't remember what happened!"

This is a page turner that kept me up into the wee hours of the night! The action began from the opening line "Man's life is flashing before his eyes." There's not a dull slow moment in the book so it compelled me to want to sit and devour it; which I did and you will to I am sure!

I really enjoyed the "old school" mystery feel of this. It just had a different edge to it that reminded me of those older type mysteries and I Loved it! The characters were so well developed and detailed that it was easy to jump into the story and feel as if I was involved in the investigations and carrying on's.

I can only imagine the apprehension Moonlight faced with a bullet lodged in his head from a suicide attempt gone bad from four years prior that leaves him facing a possible death at any moment and waking up with bloody cut hands not knowing if he may have played a crucial role in his lovers death. Emotions run high in this fast paced thriller!

Review Copy Provided by Author

Review: Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich

Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich

Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: HarperTorch (January 25, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060598840
ISBN-13: 978-0060598846
4/5

"Love Overboard is a romantic tale about a handsome ship's captain; a wary wench from Jersey City; a hundred-year-old, two-masted schooner; and an entire town of shoemakers."

I am a huge Janet Evanovich fan and despite a few bad reviews for this book I still decided to read it for myself which I usually do anyhow because I like to judge things for myself especially when it's an author I really really enjoy and I am so happy I did because I loved it!

Sure it's not one of her Stephanie Plum novels as it came out before the Plum faze but it's an awesome quick fluffy romantic getaway type read and was a great filler between the heavier mysteries I've read lately. The characters were funny and enjoyable to read about and it had some unexpected ghosty mystery as well in it which I love a good ghost caper!

Review: We the Children (Keepers of the School) by Andrew Clements

We the Children (Keepers of the School) by Andrew Clements
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Atheneum (April 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416938869
ISBN-13: 978-1416938866
Rating: 3/5

Ben Pratt's harbor-side school is about to be torn down and replaced with an amusement park. At first this is of no concern to Ben but then his parents separate and he befriends the school janitor who gives Ben a precious coin telling him he needs to find a way to save the school and then dies! Now Ben and his best friend Jill embark on a mystery that gets weireder and weirder the more they unveil. Will they be able to save the school?

My Review: This was an interesting beginning to what looks will enfold into a wonderful childrens mystery series. Although I cant believe any kid would choose to not want their school transformed into a huge amusement park I believe maybe Ben really just needed this mystery behind the school being torn down to distract his depression over his parents sudden separation.

The characters are fun and pretty well developed with the story moving along at an easy pace with adventure on almost every page. The ending leaves lots of unanswered questions that will carry over into the next book.

Review Copy Provided by Publisher