Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Teaser Tuesday - Until You're Mine




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser is from 97% on iPad

As Sissy says, having something to love goes a long way towards filling the void that not being loved leaves behind. 

'I know I can't have a baby,' she says quietly.


My Review - 3 1/2 It has a Hand that rocks the cradle creepy feel.








 

Monday, July 29, 2013

Monday - What are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.

I just finished this one, reminded me of movie The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, creepy
 

 
I also completed another in the Forensic Instincts series
 
 
 

 
Since my last meme post, I also completed
 
 
 
 
Tonight I am going to start a review copy
 
 
 
 
Hope you have a great week.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes



Book Summary

Published in UK on June 20, 2013- available on NetGalley

You have something that someone else wants.

 At any cost …

Claudia seems to have the perfect life.
She’s heavily pregnant with a much-wanted baby, she has a loving husband, and a beautiful home.
And then Zoe steps into her life. Zoe has come to help Claudia when her baby arrives.
But there’s something about Zoe that Claudia doesn’t like. Or trust.
And when she finds Zoe in her bedroom, Claudia’s anxiety turns to real fear …

My Review - 3 1/2

Some may remember the fascinating movie, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, well Until You're Mine had the same suspenseful creepy feel, a great Psychological Thriller, I really enjoyed that.  There were numerous background stories also which kept you slightly in mysterious mode trying to piece it all together and they tie in nicely.

Someone is attacking pregnant women almost due in order to take their babies, brutal emotional murders.  Note - if you have a history of failed pregnancies or wanting children but unable to have them, I would probably choose not to read this.  I love that Samantha put the killer right in your face, this style made for a surprised ending.  Unfortunately I didn't like the character so much by the end I didn't care about the surprise but very well crafted.

There were so undertones that you picked up on.  This is the emotional adult style of Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah she similar has that I enjoy. There was family drama, balance of working mom career mom and detective work.  Also if you enjoyed Before I go to Sleep by S J Watson, you will enjoy this one.

The characters were quite disturbing in this book which made it an edge of your seat read.

Samantha Hayes has a way with pulling at your heart and feeling sorry for characters, she does good with building on their personalities and really setting the scenes. 

Until You're Mine is her 5th book.

Tell-Tale - My favourite of hers, 5 star
Someone Else's Son - 3 1/2

Thursday, July 18, 2013

ARC Review - The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane



Release date - September 24, 2013 - received from Netgalley


College-age girls with long red hair. Brutally murdered, they're posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life— a criminal brought to justice with the help of Forensic Instincts.

Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath's desire to outdo another. As more red-headed victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey— a connection that grows closer and closer to her.

Now the Forensic Instincts team must race to uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey as the ultimate target.


As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make one thing clear: he knows everything about Casey. And Casey realizes that this psychopathic won't stop until he makes sure she's dead.



My Review - 4

The Forensic Instincts team is by far my favourite detective group, yes they are unorthodox and sometimes use research tactics and get their answers illegally BUT to save lives, that is ok, right.......  They consists of a behaviorist, a techno-wizard, an intuitive and a former navy SEAL. If you watch the TV show Scandal, you will love these books.

Andrea Kane is one of my favourite suspense writers, I enjoy the characters and even if I guess some of the case there are always critical points I miss and are completely a surprise when revealed.

I enjoy this series because you can pick up any book and read as a stand alone but for the fans the building of relationships within the team and FBI connects and takes it to the next level, you become attached to the characters. 

Andrea Kane takes you on a thrill ride during the investigation, you will be on the edge of your seat as the team have to keep up or more lives will be lost.  This time the FI team know the killer's ultimate plan is Casey, their leader, and they are doing everything it takes to find him but the killer is always a step ahead of them and starts taunting Casey with telephone calls.  Is it a copy cat killer or is the killer being directed from an ex murderer that is locked up?

I did think for a moment, why this, did Andrea Kane make a mistake, hmmm, keep reading.  I got caught up in the story and forgot about my glimmer thought which in the end was the answer.  I love that, like a true crime story, that thought in the back of your head may actually break the case.

I do think the end was a little to clean.  Also, I can't believe her team would fall right into the killers plan but it just shows when tragedy happens all thoughts can be compromised when to close.

Another great story, I am loving being caught up with all of her new books and slowly catching up on her older.  I recommend you try her.


My Reviews from the other Forensic Instincts books - both 4 1/2

I highly recommend

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice
The Line Between Here and Gone

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday - Until You're Mine by Samantha Hayes

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.




Released in UK on June 20, 2013
 
I went to NetGalley and saw that this is available, requested it, it will be my next read.

You have something that someone else wants.

At any cost …

Claudia seems to have the perfect life.
She’s heavily pregnant with a much-wanted baby, she has a loving husband, and a beautiful home.
And then Zoe steps into her life. Zoe has come to help Claudia when her baby arrives.
But there’s something about Zoe that Claudia doesn’t like. Or trust.
And when she finds Zoe in her bedroom, Claudia’s anxiety turns to real fear …


I came across Samantha's books in 2011 and have read 2 out of her 4 so far, enjoyed both, here are my reviews.  Until You're Mine is her 5th book.

Tell-Tale
Someone Else's Son

Samantha has been amazing with agreeing to giveaways of her books for my blog also, I wish her continued success.  I can't wait to share my review with you.



 

Monday, July 8, 2013

Review - Fly Away by Kristin Hannah




Book Summary

Once, a long time ago, I walked down a night-darkened road called Firefly Lane, all alone, on the worst night of my life, and I found a kindred spirit. That was our beginning. More than thirty years ago. TullyandKate. You and me against the world. Best friends forever. But stories end, don’t they? You lose the people you love and you have to find a way to go on. . . .

Tully Hart has always been larger than life, a woman fueled by big dreams and driven by memories of a painful past. She thinks she can overcome anything until her best friend, Kate Ryan, dies. Tully tries to fulfill her deathbed promise to Kate---to be there for Kate’s children---but Tully knows nothing about family or motherhood or taking care of people.


Released - April 2013

My Review - 2 1/2

Firefly Lane is one of my favourite's by Kristin Hannah.  I thought this one was a let down to the fans and I hope new readers to her do not choose this one first or it may be there last.  My main complaint, far to repetitive, I understand memories assist those grieving but this was torture for us who have read Firefly Lane, plus very depressing.  Going from present to past was executed perfectly which shows how great an author she is but I don't think fans of Firefly Lane will feel the same as those that read this one first.  Many will not enjoy also because it is dark and gloomy right to the end, good comes out of it all but no one wants to read 400 pages of gloom.  I also enjoy dark emotional books but this just didn't do it for me.

I still enjoy the way Kristin H draws out her characters and I was happy to continue their journey but it did become easy not to pick up, a possible DNF lister.  I continued on because I love Kristin Hannah and I will continue with her books but this one, I can't recommend.  I am interested in why she even decided to bring these characters back now.

Every character grieved differently which is real life and I appreciated this delivery, the children, husband, parents and best friend.  The added bonus is that we only know Tully's mom is a dead beat but we get to meet her in Fly Away where she transitions from nickname Cloud to Dorothy. It also told the story of when you can prepare you do your best but it is never good enough because you are not the griever, such a shame really because Kate would not want her loved one's going through what they did.

I highly recommend Firefly Lane, a great friendship book.  I read it before blogging, I would still give it a 4 1/2.


 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday - Andrea Kane, yaaaay




Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I love Andrea Kane's books so I am thrilled to see a book to look forward to reading.

Book Summary

Released date - September 24, 2013

College-age girls with long red hair. Brutally murdered, they're posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life— a criminal brought to justice with the help of Forensic Instincts.

Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath's desire to outdo another. As more red-headed victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey— a connection that grows closer and closer to her.

Now the Forensic Instincts team must race to uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey as the ultimate target.
As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make one thing clear: he knows everything about Casey. And Casey realizes that this psychopathic won't stop until he makes sure she's dead.



My Reviews from the other Forensic Instincts books - both 4 1/2

I highly recommend

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice
The Line Between Here and Gone

 

Monday, July 1, 2013

Monday - I expected more from my current reads.....

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.
Thank you so much for all the kind words last week.  My mom is enjoying her new knee, she is walking along our street now, I can't remember the last time she did that, years for sure.

I always read 1 book........ well this week I am reading two.  I started with a favourite author, Kristin Hannah and just couldn't get into it so I started I Hunt Killers, a highly recommended one since I loved Dan Wells I am not a Serial Killer.  In my opinion, no where as good but I am only 20% in.  I interviewed Dan Wells, you can find that on my sidebar if interested.  I am hoping 1 wins out soon.

So far I am wishing she had stopped at Firefly Lane and I LOVE Kristin Hannah so this is hurting me right now.

 
 
 

I do not know what is next but I am trying my best NOT TO BUY ebooks and to read what I have already but it is not working.  Sigh, why is it so hard for us not to buy and read what we have?  :-)

Note - I have added the bloglovin follow widget on my sidebar.


Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the week.