Archive for the ‘50 Books’ Category

I will never look at any animal the same after reading Zoo by James Patterson and Micheal Ledwidge. I’m waiting for all the household pets and neighborhood wildlife to start changing…

Jackson Oz is a young biologist who dropped out of graduate school to start tracking strange animal attacks around the world. No one wants to hear his theories about the increases and even argue that they don’t exist. When a zoo keeper is attacked and killed by the lions in his care, Oz knows something is happening. When he travels to Africa to document animal attacks there, he barely escapes with his own life. His friend is dead at the hands of attacking lions, but Oz has video evidence of something seriously wrong with the behavior of the animals. Not only are they attacking humans; their normal hunting habits have radically changed.

Oz returns to the United States with a young woman he rescues from a certain attack and death at the hand of crocodiles. She is an ecologist whose entire research group was killed by African wildlife. Together they start spreading the word about the changes happening in the animal world. Still, no one wants to take them seriously until the entire human race is being threatened.

Once a solution is identified and safeguards are put into place, the animals begin returning to normal. But can man maintain the changes necessary? Or will the privileged among us insist on ignoring them?

Patterson and Ledwidge bring us a thought-provoking read during an election year and to a society commited to its creature comforts and conveniences. What if you had to change your way of life to save the human race? Could you? Would you?

Zoo has affected me much like Stephen King’s Pet Sematary did back in the day. I’m waiting…watching…

Okay, ten interesting things about SPIDER BRAINS: A Love Story or myself. And, I think I’ll be mixing it up a bit with both–my book and myself because, honestly, they will be forever linked.

1. I think I’m an extremist but not in the usual sense of the word. In 1997, I moved from the very hot and very overpopulated city of Phoenix, Arizona where I lived in a small house on a small city plot. I moved to the Pacific Northwest to a place with a population of around 8,500 year round that jumps up to about 12,000 during the summer months. Our house sits on 5 lush, inland acres of country situated on a small island off the coast of Washington State.

2. Because I moved to the country, I began collecting animals. I have 2 dogs, 12 cats and 14 birds. Plus, we treat the wildlife that live on the property as if they were pets–raccoons, deer, fox, crows, mallards, wood ducks, eagles… you name it! We encourage them to live among us.

3. I named our first “collection” of wild cats–the first litter–after food. Razberry Jammy, PNut Budda, Apricot Jelly and Marmalade.

4. I fashioned the cat, Delilah in SPIDER BRAINS after Miss PNut Budda. Delilah is Susie Speider’s pussy. (We must say “pussy” because, really, it’s only short for pussy cat, now, isn’t it?) PNut Budda acts, reacts and moves in such a wonderful cat-tish way that she ends up in many of my books. She also stars as Georgette Carlisle’s cat in The Bobby’s Diner Series.

5. Susie Speider in SPIDER BRAINS, is a huge fan of Morticia from the Addam’s Family.

6. Susie is actually super intelligent but she has ADD, attention-deficit disorder which makes her seem scatter-brained.

7. Susie’s late father hunted and Susie hated that aspect of her father.

8. Willa Speider, Susies mom, works at the headquarters for Costco in Poughkeepsie, NY which is close to where Susie and Willa live, in Ronkonkoma.

9. Susie has a great head for science and nature. Because of this fact, her next two years of science projects will be

a) incubating and hatching an egg for her junior year, and

b) building an ant farm for her senior year.

10. Susie Speider lives inside one of Susan Wingate’s favorite boots–the black ones with spotted fur.

 

About the Author:

Most recently, Susan Wingate’s novels, SPIDER BRAINS and DROWNING each reached Amazon Bestseller status in 2012. DROWNING won the 2011 Forward National Literature Award for Drama. She would love for you to read her books. You can find them all under the tab on this site labeled “Books”. SUSAN has written eleven novels, two short story collections, a few plays, one screenplay and tons of poems. Her latest 2011 novel DROWNING (contemporary women’s fiction), won 1st place in the 2011 Forward National Literature Award and also won a finalist award for the category of Women’s Fiction/Chick Lit in the 2011 International Book Awards. A vibrant public speaker, Susan offers inspiring, motivational talks about the craft of writing, publishing and marketing, and how to survive this extremely volatile (e-)Publishing industry. She presents these lectures for private groups and at writing conferences, libraries and bookstores around the country.

To get your copy of SPIDER BRAINS by Susan Wingate: http://www.amazon.com/Spider-Brains-Love-Story-ebook/dp/B007KDAS0C/ref=la_B003CMMERK_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1339336080&sr=1-6. To view all books by Susan Wingate: http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Wingate/e/B003CMMERK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1. To learn more about Susan, go to her website. Visit Susan Wingate on Twitter. Like Susan Wingate on Facebook. Follow Susan Wingate on Pinterest.

 

About the Book:

If one were to bake the story SPIDER BRAINS into a cake, they should sprinkle in Charlotte’s Web, toss in one Jellicle Cat, then stir in a little Spiderman—but as a girl and not in that goofy latex outfit! A tale of hope, transformation, transition and inspiration.

After her father’s death last year and, now, in the throes of a gnarly teacher’s whim as she thinks ahead to college (or really just dreams of getting into college), a small black arachnid bites fifteen-year-old Susie Speider on the finger. The bite sends her nights into fantastical dreams about taking revenge on a teacher who, ultimately, holds her college aspirations in the palm of her cold calloused hand. But, after Susie figures out the dreams are real, she ups the ante by visiting the teacher regularly… as the spider! And, oh, by the way! Who is that boy spider munching on flies, hiding over there in the corner? A story of loss and forgiveness, tolerance and kindness, Susie Speider deals with the death of her father while Matt Ryder–the new neighbor boy–has just lost his mother. Ultimately, SPIDER BRAINS poses some important questions about how to treat Attention-Deficit-Disorder.

I read Backfire under a deadline because I procrastinated and the due date for returning to the library was looming. I knew other Catherine Coulter fans were waiting for their turns.

It’s an OK read. I know, I just can’t muster up a lot of energy for this one. The story:

Judge Ramsey Hunt is shot in the back on the patio of his seaside home. The miracle is that he isn’t dead because he was turning toward his wife who called to him from the house. He is, however, in grave condition. Luckily, he’s friends with married-to-each-other FBI agents, Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich, who rush in and save the day.

Maybe it’s my mood, but dang these two are just to freaking perfect. They’re gorgeous and talented and great agents and wonderful people with a wonderful child. It’s a little monotonous that the protagonists have no flaws!

It’s not put-down-without-completely-reading awful. It was just tedious. Maybe these characters have outlived their ability to carry a story any longer. I did like some of the secondary characters quite a bit and could definitely invest some quality time reading about them.

I guess I’ll say that this is one is getting a lukewarm thumbs up from me. Not terrible. Not great. I think Catherine Coulter has definitely done better in her past FBI Series.

Yay! Janet Evanovich wrote another Lizzy and Diesel book, Wicked Business.

This time the hot duo is…

…after the Luxuria Stone, which might be infused with lust or true love. After professor Gilbert Reedy is thrown from his balcony, Diesel grabs Lizzy to help with the investigation. When it is discovered that the dead man has a hand print burnt into his skin, they know they are onto something hot because Wulf and his minion, Hatchet, are also on the trail. Lizzy reluctantly puts away the cupcakes she makes as the pastry chef for a bakery in Salem, Massachusetts, and joins Diesel in the search for the Luxuria Stone. With help from Glo (the wanna-be) wizard and Carl (the monkey with personality), they chase down clues and solve riddles. But who will end up with the Luxuria Stone?

My only complaint about Janet Evanovich is that she is not prolific enough. Couldn’t she get a little James Patterson in her and put a Stephanie Plum or Lizzy & Diesel novel out every few months?! Pretty please?

This time Diesel was quite dreamy for me because I keep picturing him as Thor (aka Chris Hemsworth). I’m not complaining, except I didn’t want Diesel to go away!

As you can tell, I loved the book and I can’t wait for the next one! I’ve got to go back and re-read all her other books…darn!

Yes, another James Patterson novel! I’m so glad he’s a prolific writer, giving me great reads throughout the year.

In the 11th Hour:

Lindsay Boxer is pregnant, her marriage is great, and her friends are there to support her. When she lands two big cases, she has to promise her commander that she will concentrate on the high-profile one.

The high-profile case involves a wealthy business man, gunned down at his child’s recital. He was one of the city’s drug dealers who are being systematically gunned down with weapons from the police property room. Is the killer a cop? Which one?

But the case that has Lindsay’s attention is the bizarre crime scene on a famous actor’s property. Two skulls are found arranged on the patio and more are found buried on the property. Is the actor the madman behind any of this? He was accused–and acquitted–of his wife’s murder. There was never a body. Is hers one of the skulls found in the yard?

Lindsay’s personal life ends up in turmoil. Is the alleged drug dealer killer someone close to her? Whose skulls were buried on the estate? Why is a local reporter writing about her every move–professional and personal?

Never fear, the Women’s Murder Club is there to help answer all the questions. But they might not find them until the 11th Hour…

Another great, fast read from Patterson & Paetro. I never get tired of the Women’s Murder Club. Do you?

 

 

The name of Alex Clermont’s essay collection, Eating Kimchi and Nodding Politely caught my eye because, well frankly, kimchi terrifies me. When I hear the word, I think of old cabbage, buried until it’s rotten, and then you eat it. I give Clermont credit, because I could never eat it!

In his essay collection, Clermont shares stories about the time he spends in South Korea teaching English to school children, their mothers, and common citizens. This isn’t a lengthy piece–it could be called novella-sized. But it still delivers a nice, cozy idea of how things work in South Korea.

After reading this, I felt I had some actual knowledge of a foreign culture. It was also reinforces the idea that as different other cultures seem, there is something we all have in common: food and community.

After reading the essay collection, I still have no desire to eat kimchi. But I will be looking out for Clermont’s next written offering!

By the way, I found this information on kimchi. I swear I thought kimchi was buried for ages before eaten!

Here’s a video trailer for Eating Kimchi and Nodding Politely. Enjoy!

You’ve got to love a Mary Higgins Clark novel. They are both predictable and interesting–an odd combination when you think about it. The Lost Years is exactly that.

In her latest novel:

Jonathon Lyons, a Biblical scholar, finds a letter believed to have been written by Jesus. It’s been missing for over 500 years, but was located in a safe in a soon-to-be-demolished church. Before he can do anything about it, he is brutally murdered in his own home. The main suspect? His wife, Kathleen, who now suffers from Alzheimer’s. His daughter, Mariah, has to deal with her mother being jailed, her strained relationship with her now-dead father because of his long affair with another woman, and finding out where the ancient document is. There is no shortage of suspects other than her mother; she must determine which one of her father’s fellow archeology fans could be guilty of murder.

I enjoyed the Catholic elements of the novel much more than I thought I would. I remembered some of the things mentioned from school. Plus, I really like the idea of finding an ancient letter written by Jesus.

This is a perfect summer read. If you’re new to Mary Higgins Clark, you’ll enjoy this. If you’re a long-time fan, you’ll figure everything out long before the end, but won’t mind because it’s a compelling story!

 

 

Are you looking for free or almost free books? Then May 7th through 9th will be your favorite days of the month!

Romances, thrillers, and paranormal, oh my! Dozens of books by authors new and old! Free (or nearly free!) on Amazon!

For the free books, check out Free Partay. For nearly free books, check out Indie Book Blowout!

 

This week I read Denise Robbins’ latest, Phish Net Stalkings. Denise guest blogged here a few weeks ago. Check it out!

Phish Net Stalkings is a romantic suspense with a tech twist.

Jane East is looking for love. Her attempt at on-line dating left her gun-shy. Then she lets loose and meets the chief of police, where things get hot and heavy until she discovers he’s wearing women’s underwear. He doesn’t get a chance to explain that he was undercover since she bolts into the night. Besides, Jane hates the police–after all they were responsible for the deaths of her mother and her surrogate grandmother! Despite her determination to avoid Chief Chance, they can’t keep their hands off each other. Which puts a crimp in the whole avoiding-the-police thing. Jane’s world begins spinning out of control: her business is sabotaged, her life is in danger. As she prepares to flee once again, she wonders if loving Cooper Chance is a good enough reason to stay.

The story is a good one and the character of Cooper Chance is yummy. Jane East is a little too good. At times the story-telling has too much detail and seems to drag, and the ending comes on like a runaway freight, but it is a fun read.

You won’t be sorry if you take some time to spend with Phish Net Stalkings.

I was given a copy of this novel so that I could review it. This in no way influenced my review.

 

 

 

 

Did you happen to see Gregory Allen’s guest post here yesterday? You should check it out!

After reading Patchwork of Me, my list of authors I want to be stranded with just got longer because I’m adding Allen. Honestly, when I come across books like this it’s like my world gets a little bigger…a little brighter…so much better. Yes, I am gushing, because I loved loved loved this novel.

Sara Butler is in her 30s and having strange dreams. In them she is a man suffering a loss. She has a wife. She once had a child. She lives on the East Coast. In reality, she is a single woman in Arizona whose best friends are two gay men and an emotionally cautious woman.

She’s spent months in therapy lying to her therapist because she’s not comfortable sharing that she grew up a foster child. She continues a toxic sex-only relationship. But the dreams persist. That all changes when she is hypnotized and realizes she witnessed a horrific act as a child.

Needing to find out who she really is–and was–sends her on a cathartic journey to reclaim her past and ensure a healthy future.

This book flows like magic through the story that is Sara’s journey. As someone who went on her own adoption journey to find my roots, I found Sara’s story to be spot on. The need to know outweighs the need for emotional safety. Discovery doesn’t mean a pat story and an end, it is the beginning of the rest of your life.

Allen has a marvelous voice. The pacing is smooth, moving through event after event that makes Sara need to know herself.

I truly hope that we get more of Sara’s story. Because the ending leaves us wide open for more!

Do yourself a favor and get this novel. This is what reading is all about–a great story that stays with you long after the final page has been turned.