ARC Review - The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane

Book Summary

After intense, top-secret training with the FBI, Kane turned her analytic mind to her newest renegade team, Forensic Instincts, and its brilliant, intuitive leader Casey Woods in THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE (Mira Books, June 2011). Casey and her team have been hired by veteran family court Judge Hope Willis whose daughter was abducted right under her nose.


Casey’s team of mavericks – a behaviorist, a techno-wizard, an intuitive and a former navy SEAL – pool their unconventional skills to do whatever it takes to bring the girl home. But there is more to this case than meets the eye. Judge Willis has secrets she can’t hide from Casey who has the ability to read people from even the briefest encounter.
Now Forensic Instincts must sift through every piece of evidence, each minuscule clue to uncover the truth before time runs out. They know that the difference between bringing the girl home alive and having her disappear forever could hinge on something as difficult to detect as a suspect’s rapid breathing or a dark family history, long hidden from sight.


My Review - 4 1/2 Great to the last Drop

Andrea Kane is definitely becoming a favourite author of mine.  Her suspense books always have that added something, thrill, sexy, edgy, etc, she is my thrill seeker go to author now, my Sugar and Spice, lol.

I was able to figure this one out, not sure if it is because this is my favourite genre or if it was obvious, I will have to wait to see other reviews.  Don't get me wrong, I loved it and couldn't stop reading it, couldn't wait to find out how it all came together.  And a major positive for me, the characters are all strong in their own way.

AndreaK has a way with taking you along on the journey.  I always want to become one of her characters and be a part of the investigation helping out.  In this one I couldn't choose between the FBI or Casey's team that had their own 'illegal' way of doing things, but they got things done in a hurry.  I enjoyed the going back and fourth sarcastic comments they threw at each other.   I got the feeling it was a "I love to hate them and can't work with them can't work without them scenarios".

Now I understand why she is known as a Romantic Suspense author, she knows how to turn up the heat, HOT, but never taking you away from the story.  I love the idea of working couples fully passionate about their careers but still just as passionate in the bedroom and AndreaK does a great job of this.  It definitely is all business but with some 'play' also.

This is a race against the clock suspense that will keep you on your toes.  All the twists and turns and dead ends completely engage you.  There was a main character left out towards the end which doesn't make sense to me, so this and the fact that I figured out the mystery early, I didn't give this one a 5.  I do enjoy her writing, definitely look forward to reading Andrea Kane's older works, yes I want more.

My favourite by her is Twisted.

I was offered this book to review and then unable to receive it as I am outside of the US, but......... yaaaay for NetGalley and they have finally fixed the Kindle button issue.  I am very happy indeed to have been able to read this one.



Blog Hop - Love Book, want more from the author

Welcome to Tea Time with Marce

Happy Easter weekend for those that celebrate.

This week's question comes from Christina who blogs at The Paperback Princesses.  She asks:

 "If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?"

I love this question, thanks Christina.

I prefer stand alone's so when I find a book I love I definitely look up more by the author.  I actually started a Challenge which I host called - I Want More Challenge and this is what it counts, reading a book by an author that impressed you once and to read more by them, which is not part of a series.

These are the authors I want to read more by this year:

Kristin Hannah
Lisa Unger
Pamela Samuels Young
Sam Hayes



I look forward to networking this weekend and meeting new bloggers.

Challenge Update and Winner

When I started the Queen of Suspense Challenge, I  said "All participants that have at least one review posted when Mary Higgins Clark releases her next book will be added into an International Giveaway to win the Hardcover."

I always pre-order her newest book so I totally missed the release date, April 5, sorry.  Only remembered because it just showed up in the mail.

This challenge ends August 31.  How is everyone making out?  What is your favourite out of what you have read?  I have not been as invested as I thought I would be, this was a personal goal challenge and I may even fail, no I will not embrace that, I can read 6 of her books.  My favourite was Silent Night, one of her Holiday reads.

We had 15 bloggers that joined the Challenge and there are 12 reviews posted.

True Random Number Generator
Min:
Max:

Result:
9
 
The WINNER is..............  Jen from blog - Books from the Addict
 
Congrats Jen, thanks for joining the Challenge

Book Summary
Thirty-two year old Alexandra Moreland is a rising star in the architectural world and lives in Manhattan. But when she is plagued by identity theft, her successful life is turned upside down. Someone has gained access to her bank accounts, credit cards, personal background, and is now impersonating her. Then, with overwhelming circumstantial evidence stacked against her, Alexandra is arrested for the murder of a woman she claims she's never met. Or has she?

What are we reading? Monday

It's Monday, What are You Reading.  Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2011 Wishlist.

I completed

I am loving this series so far, here are my reviews of Book 1 and 2

I am not a Serial Killer

Mr. Monster






I'm currently reading for review.

What do I think is next, (shrugs shoulders) - It is taking a little longer than expected to get into Blood of my Brother.  This always causes a slight reading block when deciding on choices for what is next.

I look forward to seeing what you have read, are reading and going to read.

Have a great week.

Review - Mr. Monster by Dan Wells


Book Summary

From the author of I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER... John Wayne Cleaver has always known he has a dark side but he's fought hard to oppress it and live a normal life -- separating John from Mr Monster to survive. But after confronting and destroying the vicious killer that was terrorizing his town, his inner monster is getting stronger and harder to contain. And now more bodies are being discovered...

With the police failing to catch Clayton County's second serial killer John is going to have to use his secret knowledge of the first demon-killer to trap the second... but will he be able to avoid suspicion falling on him, and, in the face of extreme horrors, will he be able to restrain Mr Monster?

My Review - 4 1/2 Great to the last Drop

I am in love with this horrifying sociopath, lol.  John Clever is a great character indeed.  We are introduced to Mr. Monster in this sequel to I am not a Serial Killer.  John has serial killer tendencies, he actually dreams about violence.  He is more comfortable in the mortuary with his mom, the family embalming business, he is like a kid with candy when waiting for the bodies to arrive.

Most people are uncomfortable with dead bodies but when bodies start showing up John is always around.  Why is this?  Is someone sending John a message, is it coincidence or is John the killer, you will enjoy this thrill ride trying to figure it out.

I enjoyed the beginning reminding me why I enjoyed I am not a Serial Killer and then BANG, it all comes to a head and I can't stop reading.  I am wow'd with this series.  John lives by rules in order to not become a serial killer and he does fight and try to be good.  One of his rules is to not look or stalk females, especially Brooke who he really likes and she is so intrigued with him, she likes him too.  I enjoyed this part of the story also.  Dark and twisted, even horrifying but then a touch of cute.

I highly recommend this series, so glad the next in the series just came out.  I recommend to read this series in order.  The important thing to remember about me is I love stand alone's, I want it all but I have truly enjoyed this series, I feel complete at the end but Dan Wells makes me excited for what is next, the last sentence, OMG.  I want more, yes I do.

Note - there is a disturbing scene regarding animal cruelty, some may not be able to handle this.

My Review of I am not a Serial Killer

Waiting on Wednesday - Michelle Zink

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event spotlighting upcoming releases we are highly anticipating. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

CIRCLE of FIRE (BOOK 3) is coming August 3rd 2011



With time dwindling, Lia sets out on a journey to locate the missing pages of the prophecy and persuade her sister, Alice, to help—or risk her life trying. Lia has Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James. James doesn’t know the truth about either sister, or about the prophecy. And Alice intends to keep it that way.

There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it can destroy them both.
 
 
I have really enjoyed this trilogy, Michelle Zink takes me on a visual journey with her writing.

Go to the authors website to read the book summaries and if you enjoy watching Book Trailers.  http://michellezink.com/
 
Here are my reviews of Book 1 and 2:
 
Prophecy of the Sisters
 
Guardian of the Gate
 
 


Thanks for commenting, I look forward to coming over to your blog to see what your WOW is. 

Reading but no posting (Screen died on me)

I am currently reading Mr. Monster, the sequel to I am not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells.  This series is so good, here is my review of I am not a Serial Killer.

On Sunday morning my 4 year old knocked over her cereal with milk.  :-(  It only got on the corner where I close my laptop but obviously enough damage to blank out the screen.  It is still apart and keeping my fingers crossed, I am keeping the hope.  The computer is fine just can't read anything on it so unsure how long I will be without a computer.

Work is super crazy, so having the time to post and network is near impossible.  I will use my partner's Ipad but so far posting and scrolling through my dashboard has not worked so I can only comment on those blogs on my sidebars and then I can get to others from those blogs, so we will see.  I appreciate your patience.

Any reviews I will definitely find the time to post on another computer.

Review - LEFT neglected by Lisa Genova

Here’s the summary from the publisher:


In an instant, life can change forever.


Sarah Nickerson is a high-powered working mom with too much on her plate and too little time. One day, racing to work and trying to make a phone call, she looks away from the road for one second too long. In the blink of an eye, all the rapidly moving parts of her over-scheduled life come to a screeching halt. A traumatic brain injury completely erases the left side of her world. As she struggles to recover, she discovers she must embrace a simpler life, and in so doing begins to heal the things she’s left neglected in herself, her family, and the world around her.


My Review - 4 1/2 Great to the last drop

Sarah is my favourite character this year so far.  She is strong, has the perfect charmed balanced life as a working mom, she has a great sense of humour and is passionate.  All the characteristics that I love in a best friend, I wanted to be her best friend in this book. Such an emotional crisis but instead of it pulling at me emotionally and having the Kleenex I was smiling, Sarah's sarcasm was delightful.

The first half of the book was about Sarah's charmed life.  She is VP of Human Resources for a consultancy firm, a very high powered job which she loves, has 3 young children, the youngest only 9 months, she is a wife and this is all wrapped up into a very structured 'perfect' life.  Sarah loves the best of the best, my kind of girl.  The cutest thing throughout the book, Sarah and her husband play scissors, rock, paper for simple decisions, very cute indeed.

I like how the author included Sarah's dreams, making you consider if this is a way of trying to give Sarah a message to slow down.  All it took was searching in her purse for her cellphone and ACCIDENT that changed her life.  We must stop talking, texting, messenging while driving.  Sarah is lucky to not have killed anyone or herself but she does end up with Left Neglect, also knows as unilateral neglect and hemispatial neglect.  Patients with Left Neglect are not blind, but rather their brains ignore information on the left side of the world, often including the left side of their own bodies. (Taken from authors note)

Lisa G continues to make the reader try to understand what Sarah is going through and I love how Sarah's inner self gives her encouragement, tells her off etc.  Here is an example.  Hey there, Sarah, you think you're seeing your whole face, but you're actually only paying attention to the right side..  There's another half there.  It's called the left.  Honest to God.  There are many times in the book the author makes you reflect on your own life, I dare you to try and read this and not consider making changes.

The second half of the book is Sarah's recovery, decisions about going back to work and her mom is there to assist her with everything.  This is a journey all on its own with some family history of hurt.

This book was fascinating to me and I felt good at the end.  Lisa Genova has a PhD in neuroscience and you can tell she puts real research and passionate time into her writing to educated the reader while we are enjoying her novel. 

Still Alice is still an all time favourite but I recommend both.  Still Alice and LEFT neglected have touched me in ways that I am sure will always stay with me.  I read Still Alice before blogging so do not have a review but it definitely gets a 5+ Tea Time Perfection

Teaser Tuesday - left Neglected

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following to participate:

 

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

 

 

I loved Still Alice and I am loving this one, Sarah is such a great character, my favourite of the year so far.

Teaser from page 128

But so far, my inner babysitter has been less than reliable, not even showing up for the job most of the time.  She's a flaky teenager obsessed with her boyfriend.  I may have to fire her and start over with someone new.

Sarah's sarcasm during her crisis is so original and sweet.

 

 

 

 

I look forward to your Teaser.  This is my favourite meme but I haven't had time to network especially on Tuesday's so I haven't posted to participate.  I love blogging but I blog to network so when life takes over I usually don't post.

 

I always add a book to my Wishlist after this meme :-0 got to love that.  SMILES

 

Review - The Third Rail by Michael Harvey

Summary

THE THIRD RAIL by Michael Harvey opens with a woman getting shot as she waits for her train to work. An hour later, a second woman is gunned down as she rides an elevated train through the Loop. Two hours after that, a church becomes the target of a chemical weapons attack. The city of Chicago is under siege, and Michael Kelly, cynical cop turned private investigator, just happens to be on the scene when all hell breaks loose. Kelly is initially drawn into the case by the killers themselves, then tasked by Chicago’s mayor and the FBI to hunt down the bad guys and, all things being equal, put a bullet in them. Kelly, of course, has other ideas. As he gets closer to the truth, his instincts lead him to a retired cop, a shady train company, and an unnerving link to his own past. Meanwhile, Kelly’s girlfriend, Rachel Swenson, becomes a pawn in a much larger game, while a weapon that could kill millions ticks away quietly in the very belly of the city.

My Review - 3 1/2 More Sugar Please

This thriller started immediately, 1 - 2 - 3 Action and lots of it. It is one of my favourite 1st chapter books, pulled me right in.

I look forward to reading more from this author, those that enjoy Crime Fiction will enjoy this one.  There is lots going on, in my opinion a little to much.  I was totally wrapped up in the storyline but there was nothing for me to really solve, they solved everything without allowing me to truly get invested.   You know there is more to it than the obvious, (the normal fan of this genre will try to figure it out) and then the case is solved but you don't understand why when there are still so many questions unanswered.

Don't get me wrong, the questions were answered, maybe not to my liking, just differently.

So many twists and turns, I was intrigued the whole time just unable to fully get invested in the case with the who, why, what etc.

I do want more and looks like this will be a series, so the author did his part on making me want to continue with this series.

This one will go towards my Mystery & Suspense Challenge.