Review - They Won't Be Missed by Skyler West

Book Summary

The homeless are restless. One by one, they’re going missing.

For years, Mark Casey lived on the streets. But those days are behind him. He’s holding down a job and getting his life back on track.

But when a homeless man reaches out for help, it kick starts a chain of events that could see Mark lose everything, including his young daughter.

Until now, no one had noticed the homeless were missing. But for Mark, the cards are stacked against him. He’s getting too close. They’re watching him. He’s wanted for crimes he didn’t commit. And soon he realises what is happening is on a far larger scale than he could ever imagine.

A plot of unspeakable evil is occurring in the city, and Mark, whose choices are limited, risks becoming one of the missing to find out …

My Review - 3

I really enjoyed the first half of the book, a cop who had been through hard times, lived on the streets, worked through it and now is trying to prove he can have his daughter full time.  Mark is a little hot headed but we realise this is a coping mechanism that needs to be reformed.  He is so close to getting his daughter when we are caught by surprise with an unspeakable scene, immediately catches your attention and puts you on edge.

Mark ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time, acting as a good Samaritan with the responsibility of a cop.  He gets involved in what looks like an innocent situation.  Those from the top don't like it and make his life hell with one tragic decision.

In order to prove his worth and the continuation of meeting his personal goal, his daughter, he starts investigating informally.

This is where the book took a dive for me.  I do not enjoy dystopian, other world type books and I felt this one went to far to the unbelievable.  I think sticking to a true secret experiment would have been more believable and getting a more in depth reason on why would have helped.

It all came together at the end but I really didn't enjoy the second half at all and had issues with story connections.  Some scenes could have been better and history of characters should have been more flushed out.

I did enjoy the concept of using homeless people and the experiment undertaken.  Also, it felt like two books into one, I just didn't buy this mix of genres.



 

Waiting on Wednesday - Andrea Kane for Christmas

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


Andrea Kane is one of my favourite Thriller authors so when I saw she was releasing a Christmas short story I was excited.  Different from what I am used to but willing to try and get ready for the holiday spirit.

Yuletide Treasure - releasing Nov 27, 2012

Yuletide Treasure captures holiday magic as it transports us to a village in Victorian England, where an embittered earl seeks a governess for a lovely, defiant little girl named Noelle.

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Review - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Book Summary

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

 

My Review - 4 1/2

 

What a great read, I actually enjoyed, almost loved a hyped book, I have to agree that this one deserves the hype, wow wow wow.  And............ it is YA, not my cup of tea but it had me engaged the whole time.  Something about the summary and reviews, I was intrigued, very glad I gave it a try.

 

An emotional book with lots of humour, dark humour, childish humour, many many many laughs throughout the story. 

 

I loved getting to know teenagers that are not the norm, almost everyone had cancer in different forms and a major plus is that the parents were included in the story.  Hazel and Gus had their own language, what I consider true soul mates.  I loved their journey, my favourite parts were the dialogue throughout the story, fascinating, beautiful, emotional and downright hilarious.

 

The scenarios of what Hazel and Gus chose has their wish, kind of Wish Foundation was so amazing I was touched.  Gus reaction to Hazel's was a favourite funny part.  Quote "Hazel GRACE!" he shouted.  "You did not use your one dying Wish to go to Disney World with your parents."  "Also Epcot Center," I mumbled. "Oh, my God," Augustus said.  "I can't believe I have a crush on a girl with such cliche wishes."  Seriously, that is the best dialogue ever. 

 

I think this book will pass the test of time and 10 years from now will still be on reader and book stores favourite lists.

 

I highly recommend this one, I think everyone will enjoy.  There is so much in this book and the reviews I have read give minimal, mainly I believe because you just have to experience it for yourselves without any prior knowledge of details.

 

I have to now go read more John Green, he may just become my YA go to author when I'm in the mood.

 

The bloggers review that finally made me add it to my Wishlist was Kimberly at On the Wings of Books, her review is here, she did more of a vent of amazement kind of review.

  

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ARC Review - The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn

Book Summary

Andrew Morrison sacrificed everything - his childhood, his education, and the girl of his dreams - to look after his alcoholic mother.  But enough is enough, and now he's determined to get out and live his life.

That means trading the hole he grew up in for a rented room in the house of an old chidhood friend - both of which are in sorry shape.

The only thing worse than Drew's squalid new digs and sullen new roommate is the envy he feels for the house next door: a picture-perfect suburban domicile straight out of Norman Rockwell, with a couple of happy householders to match.

But the better acquainted he gets with his new neighbors - especially the sweet and sexy Harlow Ward - the more he suspects unspeakable darkness beyond the white picket fence.

THE NEIGHBORS is an insidiously entertaining tale of psychological suspense and mounting terror by the boldest new master of the form, Ania Ahlborn.



My Review - 3 1/2

We meet the sexy, picture perfect neighbor, Harlow.  Well she is the ultimate soul mate of Norman Bates from the classic book, Psycho.  I could not stop thinking about that book when I was reading this one.  Harlow is a sick and twisted lady, multiple personalities for sure, even if no one knows it other than her beloved husband.

I enjoyed the idea of those running away from something in their past but as the saying goes, it is not always greener on the other side.  Andrew was a sweet gullible young man.  Reading about how he was manipulated seemed to simplistic but knowing he was not the 1st and maybe not the last victim created a mess with your head read.  Harlow gave a new dimension to the idea of neighborly love.

I did fell like the book could have gave us so much more or took us down an edge of your seat scary path but it didn't.  It was almost as if Ania restrained herself, thinking it may be to much or too dark.

Such a great dark read.  Ania Ahlborn has a debut book Seed which was a #1 Kindle read on Amazon.  I look forward to reading that one now.  She has a dark artistic side that she has created as her own personal style and I think will become known for. 


 

The Monday after........

To join this great meme, go over to Sheila over at Book Journey


To all my blogging friends affected by Hurricane Sandy, my heart goes out to you.  I guiltily have to admit that in Bermuda we do not really blink at category 1's so when I saw the disaster pictures after I was in shock.  "How can that be, it was only a storm and then category 1, how did that happen, omg"

I hope your family and friends are safe and coping.  I am saddened for you now.  Hurricane, flooding, snow storm, Megastorm for sure.

On to books........

I am currently reading an ARC.  It will be released November 27.

I started and think I will finish, decided to read slower.  I think I will enjoy better this way.

 

 

 

I reviewed this incredible memoir here - My review

 

 

 



I also reviewed this one - My review

Any I wanted to share my 2 favourite shots from Hurricane Sandy.  Amazing nature after disaster.
Pictures from Huffingtonpost.com