Aug 192011
 

If I Should Die

Author: Jennie Hansen

Publisher: Covenant Communcations

Published: June 2011

ISBN-13: 978-1-60861-199-7

Softcover: 235 pages

FTC FYI: I received a free copy from the publisher which did not affect my review.

Kallene and her best friend Linda never miss their morning run together.  This morning was the same as others, but something was bothering Linda.  She is unhappy in her marriage and decides she needs to file for divorce.  The next day, Kallene was running a little behind, Linda was never late, so when Linda is not there, Kallene is immediately concerned about her friend.  She quickly jogs over to Linda’s, and hurriedly knocks on the door.  Linda’s husband Carson answers, not knowing where she is either.  Kallene doesn’t like his reaction, as he just assumes Kallene will watch their daughter Macie, and that Linda will come home once she cools down.  After a few days and still no sign of Linda, Kallene calls the police out of concern for her friend.  Detectives arrive and question Carson, making him the person of interest in Linda’s disappearance.  Secondary characters such as the nosey neighbor, another neighbor with a shady past, and her sweet but troubled cub scout were captivating as well.

This is the first book of Jennie Hansen’s that I have read.  She is a good writer and I enjoyed this book.  Kallene is a smart and likable character.  Two love interests are vying for her, and I was happy with the end result, even though I really liked both male characters.  If there was one thing that distracted me from the story a bit was Kallene’s job.  She worked from home mostly for an advertising firm, and there was some controversy over her boss taking credit for her work.  For me, the story focused too much on her job at times and took away from the disappearance of her friend.

3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Jennie Hansen has written many books. I look forward to reading more from her.  Find out more about Jennie Hansen here.

Happy Friday!

Mar 022011
 

Key Lime Pie

Author: Josi S. Kilpack

Publisher: Deseret Book

Published: 2010

Softcover: 345 pages

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

ISBN-13: 978-1-60641-813-0

FTC FYI- I purchased my own copy

Hello, all!  Don’t adjust your computer screen.  It’s me!  I am taking over Wednesday’s.

Key Lime Pie is book four in the Sadie Hoffmiller mystery series.

While planting flowers for her required community service (see Devil’s Food Cake), Sadie Hoffmiller’s new friend Eric comes to say hi, and to flirt. Sadie can’t deny that she likes Eric, but she is dating Pete. While Pete and Sadie have never defined their relationship, she is torn with her feelings for both men. Eric takes a phone call. His daughter, Megan, has been missing for three years and the phone call was informing Eric that they found a body and need him to come to Florida right away. Sadie and Pete go on their date, but Sadie can’t get Eric and his situation out of her mind.  After her dinner, armed with cookies, she goes to Eric’s and asks what she can do to help, Eric asks Sadie to come to Florida with him, she says no.  They say goodbye and Eric is on his way. The next day, Sadie gets a call from Eric. He needs her to clean out a trailer so he can sell it right away and he also needs a box of Megan’s items sent to Florida right away. She rushes over to the house, finds the box, but can’t fight her natural “busy-bodiness”. She opens the box, and with the items inside, she can’t figure out why they would be of such importance. Because she is too curious, Sadie makes the decision to go to Florida herself to deliver it. When she gets there, however, things don’t go as planned.  We meet Layla, Megan’s mother and Larry, Layla’s second ex-husband.  And they have secrets of their own.

I loved this book. Josi’s stories are so expertly detailed and very well written. I was surprised with the turn that Key Lime Pie took, and was happy that I didn’t figure it out. Sadie has gotten herself in some pickles before, but this was by far the most suspenseful. Although she is very curious and a self-described busy body, Sadie genuinely cares about the people she is helping and is very resourceful. I really enjoyed the ending, and felt she made a very good decision about the men in the life.

Would I:

  • Recommend this book?  Absolutely.  It reads very fast, and is very exciting.  The ending surprised me too.
  • Read it again?  Yes!  Excited to read the next in the series Blackberry Crumble.

4 stars out of 5