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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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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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ONE MAN’S FLAG by David Downing

November 20, 2015

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Downing has written a series of novels about Jack McColl, a spy working for his Majesty’s Secret Service during World War One. One Man’s Flag is the second in this series and picks up McColl when he is working in India for the British government.

In the first book, McColl meets and falls in love with Caitlin Hanley, an American-Irish journalist looking to make a name for herself during a period of momentous events including the First World War, as well as the planning and initiating of an Irish revolution against Great Britain. That book ends with Miss Hanley’s brother thwarted when involved with Irish separatists by her lover, Jack McColl.

McColl’s supervisor sends him to Ireland to look into the probability of an uprising during a period when England is involved in a major war with Germany. Jack and Caitlin, of course, meet again and find that their love continues, especially when it comes out that McColl made an attempt to help Caitilin’s brother escape.

Their adventures are recreated using an extremely well researched knowledge of events and places that existed during the period. Caitlin uses her American citizenship to visit Germany as a neutral, and actually gains her way very close to the front lines. It is her opinion, (and obviously that of David Downing,) that the people were very much with the military and the soldiers, feeling that their cause was the right one.

Her postings from the war zone assure her of success as a journalist. McColl, on the other hand, takes a trip to visit his brother who is serving on the western front in Europe. Downing, through the avenue of McColl, states the opinion that England had a cadre of incompetent officers leading their army. They tossed away lives by ordering massive charges against artillery and machine guns. And if the first charge failed, they would simply order another one. The comment is made that the loss of life approximated 5000 men a day, resulting in a stalemate of monumental proportions. Both sides worked to entice the United States to enter the war on their side and this second book ends at the end of 1916, with the widening war soon to include America.

Downing’s books are very clearly tailored to bring out the probable thoughts and opinions of an era now a century away from us. I have no doubt that these novels will allow readers to sympathize with people living and acting in those days.

11/15 Paul Lane

ONE MAN’S FLAG by David Downing. Soho Crime; First Edition edition (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-1616952709. 384p.

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PLAYING WITH FIRE by Kate Meader

November 19, 2015

Hot in Chicago #2

This is the second book in the series but my first Meader read, and I’ll be back for more. This title made Publisher’s Weekly list of the best romances of 2015, so I requested a copy from the publisher and they sent it out immediately. A contemporary romance bordering on erotica but not quite crossing the line, Meader excels at heating things up page by page, and I couldn’t turn them fast enough.

I loved her main character, Alexandra Dempsey, Alex to everyone, a newbie firefighter in Chicago. She’s built like a real woman, has a big mouth and often acts on impulse – hey, she reminds me of me! At least when I was that age.

Alex comes from a mixed up family of firefighters, with foster brothers, half brothers, I think – not entirely sure how they were all related. She has two sisters-in-law, maybe, and they are also her best friends. Alex’s impulsive ways get her national fame when she chops up a $400,000 car after the occupant goes on a homophobic, misogynist rant while she is trying to save him. The mayor steps in and keeps the ranter from suing her, but there is a lot of history between the mayor, his family and Alex’s family – not much of it good.

Later Alex responds to a call at a hotel, and while checking the building finds the mayor close to unconscious. She gives him her air, and in the process saves him but then he has to save her when she faints from the smoke inhalation. But that meeting sets something ablaze besides the fire. The mayor becomes obsessed with Alex, and finagles her into “fake dating” him while he’s running for reelection. They have real chemistry but Alex puts the brakes on until her sister-in-law convinces her to just use him for sex.

I liked how the mayor respected her boundaries, and I loved their chemistry. This was a sizzling romance for sure and I’m looking forward (and back) for the rest of the series.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

PLAYING WITH FIRE by Kate Meader. Pocket Books (September 29, 2015). ISBN 978-1476785929. 384p.

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POWERLESS by Tim Washburn

November 18, 2015

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On various occasions newspaper articles, TV spots and other public forums announce that countries are working on magnetic weapons of war. This would be a method of destroying the manufacturing and distribution of any and all electric power. There would be no deaths directly attributable to the loss of power, although many would be caused by the consequences of said loss. Buildings and other installations would remain standing, and the population of the area receiving the attack would survive in the main to become subservient to the attacker.

Powerless is a well thought out novel describing the aftermath of a total loss of electrical power in the entire world due to explosions on our sun and energy generated by those sunspots. The book focuses on the United States and several groups of people and how they are affected by the catastrophe.

While Luke Marshall, an army veteran, is singled out for closer examination, other people are introduced and followed as their lives are affected by the loss of electricity. Cars stall, water is not pumped into homes, phones including cellular are rendered useless, planes fall out of the sky and nuclear plants begin inevitable meltdown. Luke Marshall undertakes a journey to pick up and bring his family home.

Lawlessness reigns, it is everyone for himself, and it’s survival of the strongest and those that have access to weapons to utilize for both protection and to use as strong arm tactics. The President of the United States attempts to restore some sort of order but finds that the loss of electricity subjects him, as well as all others, an inability to function normally. In an interesting aside, the destruction of an enemy of the country is a rewarding prospective.

The main thrust of the book is the description of destruction and devastation, but the ending is a logical method of restoring the material aspects of the civilization we now enjoy. An excellent and thought provoking exploration of what could happen if we have our civilization taken away by an outside force.

11/15 Paul Lane

POWERLESS by Tim Washburn. Pinnacle (October 27, 2015). ISBN: 978-0786036530. 464p.

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THE MARRIAGE PACT by M.J. Pullen

November 16, 2015

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Marci is turning thirty and her life is not what she expected. Living in Austin, Texas near no one she knows and working temp jobs is her sad reality. Her only relationship is an illicit affair with one of her bosses, who is married.

On her birthday she gets an email from one of her best friends from college, Jake. They had made a pact that if neither of them was married by the time they turned thirty, they would marry each other. Not that he’s pushing.

Marci is so involved with Doug and being at his beck and call around all his marital obligations that she has no time for anyone else and it is starting to wear on her. Eventually things take a turn as they often do in these sorts of relationships, and Marci quits her job and moves back home. Her best friends are there to help her muddle through and there is always Jake to the rescue. But Marci is torn; should she marry her friend while she’s still in love with Doug?

I had a hard time with this book. I know I was supposed to root for Marci to find her happy ending, but as a child of divorce with a father who was a cheater, I have a real problem with infidelity. I was tempted more than once to just put it down and forget about it, but I finished it. If you don’t have a problem with the other woman storyline, then go for it.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE MARRIAGE PACT by M.J. Pullen. Thomas Dunne Books; First Edition edition (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-1250070937. 304p.

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HOST by Robin Cook

November 15, 2015

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Robin Cook has in most aspects, pioneered the intelligent medical thriller. He made his bones years ago with the novel Coma, and that novel has continued to be considered his high watermark, so much so that he has apparently utilized a good bit of the format in writing Host. Not that it detracts from enjoying the present book, but if you haven’t read Coma, it makes it easier to become mesmerized by Host.

Lynn Pierce, a fourth year medical student at Mason-Dixon University, has an otherwise happy life with a very bright future. She’s thrown for a loop when her boyfriend Carl enters the hospital for what appears to be very routine surgery. Due to some unforeseen complication, Carl fails to return to consciousness after the procedure, and an MRI scan confirms brain death.

Lynn enlists the help of a friend of hers, Michael Pender, a fellow medical student, to try and find out the truth of what really happened to Carl. What they discover is apparently a far reaching conspiracy going very far beyond an isolated occurrence during Carl’s operation.

What is really behind Carl’s unfortunate result during a routine procedure and the reasons for it form the major part of the story. Along the path to the truth, Cook’s distrust of Big Pharma becomes part and parcel of the plot involved.

Medical procedures, cause and possible effect, are explained so that the reader who has no medical training can readily understand what has transpired. An all nighter if there is ever one, which inspires a willingness to want to read future novels by this author.

11/15 Paul Lane

HOST by Robin Cook. G.P. Putnam’s Sons (October 20, 2015). ISBN: 978-0399172144. 416p.

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TOO MANY COOKS by Dana Bate

November 14, 2015

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Kelly Madigan is a cookbook ghostwriter; she helps professional chefs turn their recipes into something a home cook could use. She lives with her boyfriend of six years, who is neat, dependable, a cardiologist in training and ultimately boring. Then she loses her mom suddenly, and finds her mother left her a letter with her dying wishes, the ultimate guilt trip.

Her mom tells her that she needs to take risks, leave the Midwest and travel a bit, and not rush into marriage with Dr. Boring. So when Kelly is offered the opportunity to ghostwrite a major Hollywood star’s cookbook, she jumps at the chance, even though it means moving to London for the better part of a year.

Her boyfriend is devastated and furious. He kicks her out and she gets to spend a few weeks with her father before moving to London and perhaps making the biggest mistake of her life.

Natasha Spencer is imperious, demanding and a definite nut case. Her assistant, Poppy, isn’t much better and they combine to make Kelly’s life a living hell. But the money is too good to pass up, even if she doesn’t get paid for months, and the only bright spot is Natasha’s husband, a rising star in Parliament who seems like a genuinely nice guy. They are a power couple to be sure, except that they sleep in separate beds and seem to live separate lives.

This was an interesting look at how a cookbook ghostwriter works, and how all that Hollywood glitz and glamour comes at a price. It reminded me a bit of The Devil Wears Prada (the movie version, not Lauren Weisberger’s awful book) but veers off in the romance department. All in all, I liked it and if you’re a fan of foodie fiction like I am, then this is the book for you.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

TOO MANY COOKS by Dana Bate. Kensington (October 27, 2015). ISBN 978-1617732621. 352p.

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THE GATES OF EVANGELINE by Hester Young

November 13, 2015

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Charlotte Cates is still reeling from the loss of her son when she starts to experience strangely prophetic dreams. The dreams coincide with the offer of a book deal that would send her to the famous Evangeline plantation in Chicory, Louisiana – the site of the long unsolved disappearance of Gabriel Deveau. It’s a job Charlotte is ready to refuse until she dreams of Evangeline and a boy she believes might be the missing child.

Though the book is being done with the full support of the family, Charlotte soon realizes that the Deveaus are keeping more than a few secrets. First and foremost, the ailing Deveau matriarch believes the project to be one on the architecture of the home rather than her son’s disappearance, a lie her grown children are adamant that Charlotte maintain at all cost. Charlotte isn’t certain her visions can help solve the case, but she’s promised the boy in her dreams that she’ll try. And it’s a promise Charlotte intends to keep.

The Gates of Evangeline is a great mystery. Charlotte, the Deveaus, the history and secrets of Evangeline, and the overall setting come together to create a tale that’s irresistibly compelling. And the hint of paranormal with Charlotte’s dreams – and the bit of romance – added just the right amount of suspense and steaminess.

I was quite pleased too that Hester Young’s debut is actually the first in a new trilogy. I did so love getting to know Charlotte and will be anxiously looking forward to more of her story.

11/15 Becky LeJeune

THE GATES OF EVANGELINE by Hester Young. G.P. Putnam’s Sons; F First Edition edition (September 1, 2015). ISBN 978-0399174001. 416p.

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