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DARK TIDES by Chris Ewan

December 9, 2015

On the Isle of Man, the Manx celebrate their version of Halloween every October 31st, a dark tradition called Hop-tu-naa.

Claire Cooper is eight years old when her mother takes her out in her handmade costume for the holiday. Their final stop is at her mother’s employer, a creepy old man who frightens Claire. The next morning her mother disappears, with ramifications that affect the rest of her life.

As a teenager, Claire is lonely and a bit odd. An acquaintance invites her to join her group of friends, and it turns out that they perform a game of dares every Hop-tu-naa, eventually with devastating results. Fast forward a little more and Claire has become a cop, investigating a deadly car accident on Hop-tu-naa. It turns out the victim was one of her teen friends, and then another of the group dies, and Claire realizes she may be next.

There are dark and stormy nights, children playing in a dark wood, and more of the usual horror tropes that work to create a really sinister atmosphere. Ewan explores the darker side of Manx folklore that spans twenty years of October 31sts in this chilling page turner that is more horror than thriller.
Copyright ©2015 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association.

12/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

DARK TIDES by Chris Ewan. Minotaur Books (December 8, 2015). ISBN 978-1250074423. 448p.

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SECRET SISTERS by Jayne Ann Krentz

December 8, 2015

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Madeline was a young girl at her grandmother’s hotel when a guest assaulted her. Her best friend, Daphne, woke up to see Madeline being dragged away and got help in time to save her friend. It was a night none of them would forget.

Many years later, Madeline is running her grandmother’s hotels, but that hotel, the scene of the crime, has been abandoned all these years. There is a caretaker, and when Madeline’s grandmother dies, she has to go settle up the estate, including that hotel.

No one ever knew about that night, and it’s been twenty years since Madeline and Daphne were together, but circumstances bring them back and the friendship picks up as if it had been two weeks. Madeline brings along her chief of security, Jack, and he brings his brother along to help with the tech stuff.

An attempted murder and a new romance make the pages fly by in the latest entry from one of the doyennes of romantic suspense. This was my first Jayne Ann Krentz book, and now I know why she has been on the bestseller list for so many years. This is an entertaining read for sure.

12/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

SECRET SISTERS by Jayne Ann Krentz. Berkley (December 8, 2015). ISBN 978-0399174483. 352p.

Kindle

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DIG TWO GRAVES by Kim Powers

December 5, 2015

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Ethan Holt overcomes an abusive childhood – or perhaps because of it – becomes an Olympic gold medalist in the Decathlon and the press nicknames him Hercules. Many years later he is teaching at his college alma mater and struggling to raise his teenage daughter Skip alone after his wife dies in a car wreck.

Then Skip is kidnapped and Holt’s life careens out of control, especially as the kidnapper has proffered a rhyming list of challenges to be completed in order to get Skip back. Eventually Holt realizes that he is being tested through the Twelve Labors of Hercules and the kidnapper knows way too much about him, his family and his childhood.

The detective assigned the case is biased by her own personal history, but that is a definite advantage here. Eventually the FBI gets involved but it is up to Holt to complete the challenges and win his daughter back.

There are the usual kidnapping tropes in play and no real surprises here until the very end but the story pulls the reader in nonetheless. Should appeal to readers who enjoy Harlan Coben or Linwood Barclay type suburban thrillers.

12/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

DIG TWO GRAVES by Kim Powers. Tyrus Books (December 4, 2015). ISBN 978-1440591921. 304p.

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BURNING BRIGHT by Megan Hart, et al

December 4, 2015

Four Chanukah Love Stories

I love holiday romances, but I can’t remember reading any Chanukah romances before so I was delighted to find this downloadable egalley. As far as I can tell, there is no print edition so download from your favorite bookseller.

A synopsis from the publisher:

This December, take a break from dreidel spinning, gelt winning, and latke eating to experience the joy of Chanukah. When you fall in love during the Festival of Lights, the world burns a whole lot brighter.

Miracle by Megan Hart: It’s definitely not love at first sight for Amanda and her cute but mysterious new neighbor, Ben. Can a Chanukah miracle show them that getting off on the wrong foot doesn’t mean they can’t walk the same road?

A Dose of Gelt by Jennifer Gracen: Lawyers in love, Shari Cohen and Evan Sonntag are happy together. But in a moment of doubt, he pushes her away—then soon realizes he made a huge mistake. To win her back, it might take something like a Chanukah miracle.

Home for Chanukah by Stacey Agdern: When impulsive interior designer Molly Baker-Stein barges into Jon Adelman’s apartment and his life intent on planning the best Chanukah party their building has ever seen, neither expects that together they just might discover a Home for Chanukah.

All I Got by KK Hendin: All Tamar expected from her Israel vacation was time to hang out with one of her besties and to act like a tourist, cheesy t-shirt and all, in her two favorite cities. She definitely was not expecting to fall for Avi, a handsome soldier who’s more than she ever dreamed.

I didn’t love this book. “Miracle” was a bit rough going, it felt forced and didn’t flow properly. The characters were too one-dimensional.

I enjoyed “A Dose of Gelt,” the characters were somewhat developed and the story was fun until the abrupt ending.

I liked “Home for Chanukah” but again, like “Miracle,” the characters weren’t developed and it didn’t feel quite natural or real, but the story was good.

The last story, “All I Got” was set in Israel and I didn’t understand why there were quotes scattered throughout the story – I didn’t know who was being quoted (all that was offered were initials) and why they were necessary to the story. The Israeli aspect was interesting, but I don’t speak Hebrew and didn’t understand most of the Hebrew words, beyond what I could figure out from the story. Didn’t love this one either.

But given the dearth of Chanukah romances, if you like that sort of thing, go for it.

Note: ebook only

12/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

BURNING BRIGHT by Megan Hart, KK Hendin, Stacey Agdern, and Jennifer Gracen. Avon Impulse (December 1, 2015). HarperCollins Publishers. ASIN: B015WXSMPE. Print Length: 248 pages

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FATAL COMPLICATIONS by John Benedict

December 2, 2015

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Doug Landry is an anesthesiologist just out of school and working his first job at a private hospital. His wife is pregnant with their first child and life is looking good until something goes wrong with his first case. Then another disaster happens when a mother-to-be in labor has a bad reaction to the anesthesia and the obstetrician panics.

Landry rushes to the operating room to help out and saves the mother’s life, but his boss, Dr. Katz, puts him on probation. Then another patient has an extremely rare anesthetic reaction and dies, but Landry is suspicious. Something isn’t right but he can’t quite put his finger on it.

When something goes wrong with his wife’s c-section, it is up to Luke to save her and their baby. There is a lot of subterfuge going on in this hospital along with an undercurrent of religious fanaticism, creating a tense page turner of a thriller.

This is a fast moving story but the characters too undeveloped to invoke much emotion or attachment. Fans of medical thrillers from Robin Cook or the late Michael Palmer will feel right at home here.

12/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

FATAL COMPLICATIONS by John Benedict. Oceanview Publishing (December 1, 2015). ISBN 978-1608091560. 288p.

Kindle

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Crime Fiction, Fiction | Tagged: medical thriller | Permalink
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HEADS IN BEDS by Jacob Tomsky

November 25, 2015

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A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality

Jacob Tomsky works the front desk of high end, luxury hotels. Here he offers up the inside dirt on what really goes on, how to get the most bang for your buck, but really his point is how to beat the system – all told in a most entertaining fashion. Think of it like Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential for the hotel industry.

Not all of his tips are, how shall I put this…ethical? But he explains why you shouldn’t worry about it. Personally, I have to sleep at night so his tips on how to avoid paying for in room movies and the minibar just didn’t sit right with me. But I will definitely use his tips on how to avoid paying the cancellation fee, how to get upgrades, why and when you need the concierge, and why you should always use and tip the bellman.

I listened to the audiobook, which the author reads, and he does a really good job. I actually had to stop it a few times to take notes! But for the most part, the note taking portion is in the appendix. The book itself is by turns funny, horrifying and always interesting – at least to anyone who has ever stayed or is planning to stay in a hotel. A fun and informative read.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

HEADS IN BEDS by Jacob Tomsky. Anchor (July 30, 2013). ISBN 978-0307948342. 320p.

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Audiobook

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THE SPINSTERS GUIDE TO SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR by Jennifer McQuiston

November 24, 2015

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Seduction Diaries, Book 2

Lucy Westmore has no interest in getting married. She vaguely remembers a spinster aunt, long estranged from the family, who dies and leaves Lucy her farm in Cornwall and her diary.

Lucy’s father decides to sell the farm but Lucy rebels and reminds her father that she is the proper owner. Then she takes off for the farm, determined to see her property and perhaps live there as well. On her journey, she reads her aunt’s diary that is filled with advice on men, being a spinster, and more.

Lord Thomas Branston has been taking care of the property and is the potential buyer. He is determined to convince Lucy to sell, but she is just as stubborn as he is. As she adjusts to life in Cornwall, romance ensues with the young, damaged Lord.

As usual, I missed the first book in this series but I’m going to find it. This was terrific!

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE SPINSTERS GUIDE TO SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR by Jennifer McQuiston. Avon (November 24, 2015). ISBN 978-0062335128. 400p.

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DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WALLFLOWER by Jennifer McQuiston

November 23, 2015

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Seduction Diaries, Book 1

Clare Westmore is the eldest daughter of a Viscount and entering her second season. She has her sights on Mr. Alban, heir to a dukedom, and thinks she is pretty and popular enough to snag him.

Shortly after the season begins, she has a nasty fall while walking in the park with her younger siblings and badly sprains her ankle. Determined to dance anyway, she attends a ball when she is spied by the head-turningly handsome young doctor, Daniel Merial. He realizes she is limping and approaches her, and she is haughty but really hurting.

Merial ends up attending her and insists on several weeks of bed rest. As his visits continue, Clare starts having feelings for him but fights them off, as he is not a suitable suitor. Meanwhile, her friends, and I use the term loosely, have been spreading rumors about her, trying to sabotage her relationship with Mr. Alban.

This is an interesting look at society and the classes with even a bit of politics thrown in. Lots of twists make this a fun read before the invariably happy ending.

This is the first book in the series, and the second book is even better.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WALLFLOWER by Jennifer McQuiston. Avon (February 24, 2015). ISBN 978-0062335012. 384p.

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A DIFFERENT LIE by Derek Haas

November 22, 2015

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The norm for a couple when having a baby is for one to be working, and if financially possible, the other to take some time off to get the child off to a healthy start. All well and good unless you have the type of occupation that the “Silver Bear” AKA Columbus and his partner Risina have. Both were introduced in previous books by Derek Haas. They are a contract killer and his “fence,” who is the planner and guide in the assassinations.

An interesting new assignment arrives for the duo. They are to kill someone named Castillo, who is strangely another assassin currently on the rise in the field. Castillo is aware of them and is as qualified as Columbus and looks forward to taking him out, reducing the competition. He is also aware that Columbus has a partner and a baby to take care of. And the part that is of most interest is that Castillo has studied the methods of his rival and models himself after him.

Columbus’ orders are clear, i.e., kill Castillo and in an extremely choreographed battle of wits goes after him. The book is short, but manages to keep the reader glued as one move results in a counter move throughout the descriptions. The ending is not telegraphed by any means and leaves a cliffhanger that just must be resolved in a later novel.

11/15 Paul Lane

A DIFFERENT LIE by Derek Haas. Pegasus (November 16, 2015). ISBN 978-1605988993. 272p.

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Book on CD

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LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green

November 21, 2015

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Let me start off by saying I didn’t love this book. I was not a huge fan of The Fault in Our Stars; frankly, by the end, I wanted them all to die. But a young co-worker recommended this one and I had a couple of hours to kill, so I read it. In my own defense of not loving this extraordinarily popular author, he does write books for young adults, traditionally defined as teens. But the explosion in popularity of these books has led me down this path, and while I love some of them, I don’t love them all. Feel free to comment.

So far this is the third John Green book that is being made into a movie, after the aforementioned The Fault in Our Stars and this year’s Paper Towns, which I didn’t read or see. Looking for Alaska is actually Green’s first book, and film is supposed to be released sometime in 2016. Here is the trailer:

The book won the Michael L. Printz award (highest honor for YA books), was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist, and was a NY Times bestseller. I can understand its appeal, and I liked it better than Fault, but that’s the best I can say.

Here’s a brief synopsis from the publisher:

Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .

After. Nothing is ever the same.

So we have a character, Miles, who is the schlubby kid who gets picked on. With a fresh start at a boarding school, his roommate befriends him and introduces him to smoking, and Alaska. Is that a thing now, naming kids after places? Brooklyn, London, Alaska. Why not.

This is a coming of age story about young adults living away from home with the freedom that’s implied. These kids were tame compared to what me & my friends were up to at that age (and you know who you are and what we were doing!) but nonetheless, there are serious ramifications and devastation before the book is done. Lesson learned, I suppose. It was a quick read, if that is enough of an inducement.

11/15 Stacy Alesi

LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green. Speak; Reprint edition (December 28, 2006). ISBN 978-0142402511. 221p.

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