Murder By the Book by Betsy Brannon Green

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Hillary's Reviews
Mar 102010
 

Hello my dear Wednesday readers!

Today, we learn about Betsy Brannon Green’s newest, “Murder by the book”. I have to do this review via my memory because I had to return the book to the library. Darn library.

Anyway- This book like most, maybe all (have to ponder that one) takes place in the South. Though not in Haggerty like her other books, it’s next to Haggerty, so there are some familiar faces in this book. You may remember Mark and Kate (from Hearts in Hiding plus the Haggarty series) and of course the reputable Miss Eugeniam who of course had to stick her nose in this one as well.

The premise is that the local self-created librarian, Kennedy Killingsworth, smells fowl play when a first time patron suddenly comes up dead. The police immediately suspect suicide, but Kennedy refuses to accept that as the answer when things just don’t add up.

I liked the way this was written with very likeable characters, in particular Kennedy, her family and her love interest, whom I shall leave blank to keep it surprise. Anyway, Kennedy, who I was so proud of myself when I realized she, her sisters Madison and Reagan were named after US presidents. Betsy tells you about half way through the book, so I was a bit bummed, ’cause I thought I was smart. That’s okay though. At any rate, Kennedy is adorable. She has the beauty that you want for your main character, but none of those annoying “everyone is in love with me” attitudes you see in some books these days. The irony is that she has four or so love interests, and they each adore her. Maybe it’s the self depricating, or something, but I didn’t feel like she was so beautiful that the world could not function without her. Very likeable. I love how she put up with and delt with her ex-husband, who was both entertaining and annoying.

The remaining characters were also well written. Betsy has a gift for making you feel like you know these people. Even if she hadn’t written about some of them already, you still feel abit attached. It would be important to note that there are a lot of characters is the book, but I never had to flip back in the book to remember who was who. Betsy keeps them active in the storyline and because of that, you don’t suspect the murderer until it is too late.

The story line was smart and fun and creative. I could totally see something like this happening in both a small town and a big city.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to read! Well done Betsy!

until next week!

ftc-fyi- library

Crossfire by Traci Hunter Abramson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Hillary's Reviews
Feb 172010
 

Hey Kids!

Sorry I didn’t get this up last week. As Shanda said, it was a nutsy week for the three of us. So, today I am going to chat with you about “Crossfire”, Traci Hunter Abramson’s new book.

I found out a a year or two back when we read “Undercurrents.” After reading it I found that I really enjoyed Traci’s style of writing, quality and likeability of the characters, and plus I have a crazy fascination with the secret service. I think it’s cause it’s a secret. What made her writing even more intriguing was the fact that she worked for the secret service, and because it’s a secret. again:) It also didn’t hurt that she threw in a group of Navy SEALS, which in my head and in her writing, are quite good looking. (What is it about a guy in uniform?)

Speaking of our hubba hubba SEALS, this one happens to be about Seth. If you’ve read “Lockdown” or “Freefall” you will know the stories of a couple of the “Saint Squad.” Crossfire takes place in the Caribbean (I like to say it CaribBEan- how do you say it?) and it involves Vanessa Lauton, a CIA agent deep undercover with a powerful and dangerous crime family. She gets a bit of a surprise when her long ago love (Seth) resurfaces after a six year hiatus to help get her out of the country when things get a bit dangerous. Instead of a quick pull-out, they get pulled in deeper and as a result a whole lot of action and suspense ensues.

I love that the book is fast paces, action packed and has the romance. It has been a lot of fun reading the love stories of the “Saint Squad.” I love how though the places and the circumstances are unlikely, Traci is successful in making the stories believeable, and entertaining all at once. I love the close calls the characters get into, and the quick thinking and intelligence that they all possess. I especially love that none of the main female characters are weak. They have weaknesses, just like anyone else, but they themselves are not weak. They keep up with the men and refuse to be left to be behind waiting to see what happens. LOVE THAT!

My favorite part of the book is that Vanessa had learned how to fly planes, just not land them. Can’t help being reminded of one of my favorite action heroes, good ol’ Indiana Jones.(If you remember “The Last Crusade”- one of my favorite movies of all time) As they are riding off into the sunset…

“I like being Indiana” (he says to his father)

“We named the dog Indiana” (father says)

“I’ve got a lot of fond memories of that dog” (Indiana says)

okay- enough of a tangent. If I were to give this book a down side, it would be that in some situations, the realistic factor does tread close to “would that really happen”, but like I said, the way she writes it, even if I’m thinking that, I am quickly seeing the next turn. Overall, Traci hits another one out of the park with this book. I highly recommend it!

ftc-fyi- publisher produced copy

Devil’s Food Cake by Josi Kilpack – Book Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 162010
 


Title: Devil’s Food Cake

Author: Josi Kilpack
Publisher: Deseret Book
Published Date: 2010
ISBN#: 978-1-60641-232-9
I first met Josi Kilpack in a hallway all dressed up in a dark blue gown and waiting for the very first Whitney Awards Gala to begin. Sheila, Hillary and I introduced ourselves as LDS Women’s Book Review and interviewed her for the first Whitney Award podcast.

Since then, Josi’s been hard at work writing her culinary mystery series that began with Lemon Tart, which is currently a 2009 Whitney Award finalist. English Trifle, the second book in the series, took us “across the pond” and gave us all a craving for crumpets and scones while trying to figure out whodunit. I thoroughly enjoyed both Lemon Tart and English Trifle, and though I anxiously awaited the release of Devil’s Food Cake I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Sadie.

I was not disappointed in the slightest.

Sadie has been back from England for several weeks and is struggling to stick to her diet after making several Devil’s Food cakes for the library fund-raiser. When the agent of a former-resident-turned-famous-author is murdered on stage during the fund-raiser, Sadie really does want to let the local authorities handle the situation. When she starts noticing details that the police are overlooking, Sadie tries to inform them but due to her previous meddling several members of the police department, including her date, Detective Pete Cunningham, are reluctant to listen and Sadie is told to leave.

Before Sadie has the chance to gather the remaining Devil’s Food cakes and leave for home, an encounter with a person-of-interest in the case leaves Sadie with questions that can only be answered with a little investigating of her own. Sadie soon finds herself, as well as her son, Shawn, on a road filled with risks that will lead them to answers but at a cost that Sadie finds she may not be able to live with.

Devil’s Food Cake is full of fresh material and new twists. We are introduced to Sadie’s adopted son, Shawn, an impressively-large, Polynesian young man who is more than willing to jump into the fray. Some additional new characters are introduced, including a certain someone I hope we will see again.


What worked for me: I love all three books in this series so far and each one is just as good as the others. I’ve rarely read a series where I’ve liked all the books equally. There are usually a few in the series that I don’t care for as much. Not so with Lemon Tart, English Trifle and Devil’s Food Cake. I love how Josi writes Sadie, and the story never fails to grab me from the start and keep me turning pages. You’ve done an amazing job, Josi. Best of luck at the Whitney Awards!

What didn’t work for me: Waiting for Key Lime Pie to be released, though I will wait, because there are only going to be so many books and I don’t want to rush the end of the series. (Heather, I am SO jealous! I’m seriously “key lime” green with envy!)


Rating: 5 out of 5
Would I read it again? Definitely!
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. To everyone.
Would I read more of Josi Kilpack’s books? That’s the plan!
FTC FYI: The copy of Devil’s Food Cake that I reviewed was a free review copy sent by the publisher and did not affect my review in any way.

Josi! What has Shawn done?!?

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 082010
 
Hi everyone! Shanda here-

I’m supposed to post my book review today, but my life is bordering on insanity right now and will be for the next few days. So, my review of Devil’s Food Cake by Josi Kilpack will be posted on Thursday instead.

As of right now, I have no idea how Devil’s Food Cake is going to end, but at the moment it isn’t looking good at all. Poor Sadie! And Shawn just- I mean how could he be so casual after- aaaaah!
If you’ll excuse me now, I need to get back to my reading!

Jayhawk by Dorothy Keddington – Book Review

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews
Feb 012010
 

Title: Jayhawk

Author: Dorothy Keddington
Publisher: Granite Publishing
Published Date: originally published in 1978, rereleased in 2010
ISBN#: 978-1-890558-39-0
From the back cover: To Angela Stewart, a summer on a Wyoming ranch with her college roommate’s family seemed like an ideal vacation. For Jay Bradford, his return to the Triple J Ranch involves a potentially dangerous quest and the search for an answer to a 26-year old mystery. Jay and Angela’s chance meeting on a lonely road at dusk, marks the beginning of their unforgettable journey into danger and love.
Many years ago, in junior high, my good friend Hillary let me borrow one of her mom’s books. It was Shadow’s Song by Dorothy Keddington. I read the rest of Dorothy’s romantic-suspense novels in the following years: Jayhawk, Return to Red Castle, Flower of the Winds, The Mermaid’s Purse, and as an adult, Aisling of Eire.

I’ve read each of her books at least half a dozen times or more over the years, and even though I know the story, the enjoyment has never faded. Each of Dorothy’s novels are written in her classic first-person style and never fail to draw me in.

Those of you who are faithful listeners of our podcasts have heard Sheila, Hillary and I mention several times over the years how much we wished for a new book from Dorothy and how great it would be to have her previous books rereleased. They’ve been out of print for years, and used copies were selling for, well, a lot of money.

Imagine my excitement when I discovered one of my good friends in our neighborhood was Dorothy Keddington’s daughter-in-law. I was soon introduced to Dorothy. We talked about the new book she was working on (I had read the manuscript thanks to her daughter-in-law) and I let Dorothy know about the large number of fans we’d heard from wondering how to get their hands on her books. We spoke about what it would take to get her books rereleased and the excitement of that possibility filled the room.

The Fairy Thorn was released in December 2009. The only thing that topped the release of a new book from Dorothy was the news that Granite Publishing would be rereleasing her older books in the coming months as well.

Jayhawk is the first of Dorothy’s romantic-suspense novels to be rereleased. Despite the fact that Jayhawk was first published in 1978, the story doesn’t feel dated (except for the absence of cell phones, but they are on a ranch in the middle of Wyoming). The suspense is well done and keeps the reader turning pages to the very end.

What makes the romance in Dorothy’s novels so effective is that it doesn’t take a significant portion of the book for the hero and heroine to get together. Instead, the reader gets to experience the excitement and anticipation of a new romantic relationship and watch it grow and strengthen as the hero and heroine struggle for survival through the action and suspense.

Dorothy has a way of describing actions and surroundings without disrupting the flow of the story, giving just enough detail and trusting in the reader’s imagination to fill in the blanks. The romance is toe-curling but doesn’t cross the bounds of propriety and the suspense remains effective through numerous rereads.

Jayhawk and The Fairy Thorn are available for purchase from Granite Publishing and Amazon.com.

Missing Pieces by Jeni Grossman

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Hillary's Reviews
Jan 272010
 

Hello my darling friends!
I SOOO apologize for my not getting my Tuesday Teaser on yesterday! It was my b-day and it got really busy!
Anyway- this week I read “Missing Pieces”- by Jeni Grossman
Though not Jeni’s first book, it is the first one of hers I have read. Jeni hails from Arizona, however she did live in Turkey for two years while her husband was conducting research for work. It is clear from her detail and descriptions that she is familiar with the areas and customs.
This is a modern day fiction, murder/mystery taking place in Iraq and Turkey. Jeni tells the story of Dulcey Moore, a CNN reporter who gets herself tangled in politics, terrorists and a family mystery of both her own and of her local guide (I hope that didn’t give too much away!).
The book was in no way predictable as it involves the inner workings of a country whose traditions and customs are way outside of my little realm here in Utah. I really enjoyed how Jeni tied in interesting cultural information and traditions I wasn’t familiar with. I especially liked how she brought in the treatment of women in modern day Muslim into the picture. Very interesting and in parts, sad. The underlying theme of the book centered around honor. Dulcey, as a modern woman, has a hard time understanding how and why the people treat each other the way they do. It is not until the end that she fully understands the context of honor, when she is placed in both dangerous and difficult situations. I felt that Dulcey was a good main character. It would have been nice to see more development of back story with her and her husbands’ relationship as that never really feels resolved in the story. Dulcey says it was resolved, it’s just hard for me to feel that. I recognize part of that was because she had a hard time being ABLE to contact her husband.
Other characters in the story were well developed and likeable. I especially liked “Frank” her lovable fill-in-dad. He seemed to keep her together. She also showed the dangers of the country for Americans through other characters which really makes me want to ask Jeni about her own personal experiences in that area.
Overall, I would say that the book was/is well, written, enjoyable and a great way to get an insiders look at the mid-east area.
FYI-FTC -from publisher
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