Thursday, July 30, 2015

The Books of Summer

So far this summer I’ve won three books from various blogs promoting them. Yay me. Two were pretty good and I’m trying to decide about the third. That one, by Terry Shames and written in present tense, is hard to wrap my head around. It’s from a wildly popular series, so I’m guessing something is wrong with me. Huh.

Anyway – here’s a review or two for you.

NEVER BURIED Book One of the Leigh Koslow Mysteries by Edie Claire – This was the first I’d heard of this series and book one was pretty good. Leigh and Cara, cousins, set out to discover the identity of a ten-year-old corpse that turns up in the hammock outside Cara’s beautiful old Victorian home. In short order threatening notes – “Get out of my house” and events – dead fish with “Leave" carved into them – begin to surface. Then an old murder steps up to wave “Hello”. Of course. Leigh has to do a lot of the leg work as Cara is pregnant but the story moves along at a good clip and I didn’t see the end coming.

THE WRONG MAN by Kate White – Turns out I know Kate’s cousin John so I was glad to have won this. I have to say up front that I was disappointed in the first chapter when our heroine, Kit Finn, in an effort to have an “adventure”, sleeps with a guy after only knowing him a few hours. So original. However, the intrigue begins when he wants to see her again and a man with the right name and the wrong face opens the door of his apartment. Surprise! Mistaken identity gets turned on its head a couple of times and then some as Kit attempts to unravel this ball of twine with a murder or two inside. Thieves, interior design, and insider trading are also involved. I’m not quite done with this one, but it’s well written and I have a feeling Kit will wind  up with the right man.

I've also re-read, in part, THE SECRET THOUGHTS OF AN UNLIKELY CONVERT by Rosaria Butterfield. It's the story of her conversion (or perhaps coming back to) Christianity from a lifestyle that is much in the news these days. Quite thought provoking.

And what have  you been reading this summer, my friend?




6 comments:

  1. Presently I'm reading THE READERS OF BROKEN WHEEL RECOMMEND by Swedish writer Katarina Bivald (recommended by my French pen-friend). Prior to that I read MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE'S SORRY, also by a Swedish writer Fredrik Backman. This one I took of the shelf in the bookstore because of the title. Different, but I liked it. Also read this summer Sue Miller's THE ARSONIST and Anne Packer's THE CHILDREN'S CRUSADE.

    Unfortunately, I didn't win any of these. However, a friend gave me an early-early birthday present of Harper Lee's new book, GO SET A WATCHMAN. Will read that next (despite hearing its not so good reviews).

    Thanks for asking, Sue, and sharing yours. And congrats on winning three books!

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    1. Cindy, I always love to know what others are reading. Thanks for sharing yours! =-)

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  2. Appreciate your thoughts on these books, Susan. I know what you mean about trying to wrap your head around it. Sometimes I just don't get all the hype about a book or film. I don't always think it's "just us". It might just not be all that. Or it could even be a case of the Emperor's New Clothes. It is possible that's the case sometimes. :)

    I recently finished Ann Gabhart's latest, The Innocent. Really enjoyed that one with the mysterious elements. Working on reading/editing Susan J. Reinhardt's newest book (untitled for now). It too, has a bit of mystery to it. Looking forward to seeing how it ends. So many books, so little time... Have a great weekend!

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    1. Karen, thanks for stopping by. I read at night and often nod off. Gotta find time for the books when I'm more awake! But I do get some read - thus the reviews. Happy weekend!

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  3. I am reading the Ivy Malone mysteries by Lorena MacCourtney. I've read them before so sometimes I remember what's coming next, but sometimes I don't remember until she's in one of her jams - and I don't mean strawberry jam.

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    1. I think I've read her, too, Marion. On your recommendation I believe. Thanks!

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