My Top Ten of 2012

Welcome to Tea Time with Marce, thanks for coming over........

It was a very hard first half of the year, a long reading slump due to grieving but an amazing second part of the year for reading.  I will not make my goal of reading 52 books but I am still pleased, I am currently reading #47.

I love Thrillers, Suspense and Mystery but overall I am an Eclectic reader.

Here is my Top Ten - hosted by The Broke and theBookish

 

Suspense, Classic - Love Love Love, this was an early read of the

year and stayed #1 easily

 

My Review

 

 

Memoir - Shocking but amazing

 

My Review

 

 

 

Thriller - Highly recommend, more need to read

 

My Review

 

 

Thriller - Highly recommend, my favourite character, Talanov

Most recommended book this year

 

My Review

 

 

YA - Deserved the hype and I don't do YA but wow, this

will pass the test of time for years to come

 

My Review

 

 

 

 

Suspense - My Favourite author

 

My Review

 

 

 

Thriller, Suspense - 2nd in a series, can't wait to continue

 

My Review

 

 

YA - I was really impressed, memorable

 

My Review

 

 

 

Graphic True Crime - 1st taste, I will do more True Crime for sure

 

My Review

 

 

 

Dark YA, Mystery, unique story

 

My Review

If your not participating in the meme, please leave your favourite book of the year in the comments.  I look forward to networking with everyone this week. 

 

Happy Holidays

 

 

Blog Hop - What is your chosen book to start the new year with?

Welcome to Tea Time with Marce. 

 

I am Hosting on behalf of Jennifer.  I look forward to Networking with everyone.

 

Happy New Year

 

 

What is your chosen book to start the new year with?

or

Favourites of 2012 - my post is here
 

December is always the month I decide what book will I be starting the new year with.  I never start a new book within 3 days because I want a frest start :-)

I am a Thriller, Suspense fan so I must start with that genre. I am starting with a highly recommended book and author from favourite bloggers, I am sure I will love it.

I will have to rent the movie adaptation after also, I am sure I watched it but don't remember any details.

 

Review - The Shepherd by Ethan Cross

Book Summary from authors site

Marcus Williams and Francis Ackerman Jr. both have a talent for hurting people. Marcus, a former New York City homicide detective, uses his abilities to protect others, while Ackerman uses his gifts to inflict pain and suffering. When both men become unwilling pawns in a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of our government, Marcus finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse trapped between a twisted psychopath and a vigilante with seemingly unlimited resources. Aided by a rogue FBI agent and the vigilante’s beautiful daughter -a woman with whom he’s quickly falling in love- Marcus must expose the deadly political conspiracy and confront his past while hunting down one of the most cunning and ruthless killers in the world.

My Review - 4 1/2

Now this is what i'm talking about, a thriller for those that want to know the details of torture, blood and death, whooooah Ethan Cross, what a delivery in the crime genre.  Do you wanna play a game is the perfect tag line.  The serial killer plays the cruelest torture games on his victims, totally on the edge of your seat, eyes wide open scenes.  Who can be like that, only a monster with sadistic thoughts for sure.  This thriller is not for all, some will not be able to handle the torture games but if you love this genre for the entertainment wow factors definitely give it a go.

I loved hearing about how he got like this, from his father doing an experiment but you have to wonder if evil was just in his blood also.  I would have to say Ackerman is the craziest cruelest serial killer I have read about.  He came upon Marcus, the good guy, and felt this was fate.  Another game of good versus evil.

How Marcus got himself involved was just by chance and became the game of his life.  Would he be the shepherd, a lamb, the wolves or part of the pact.  We meet the Shepherd Organization and I can't wait to read on to see how this all ends.  Craziness it is, enough to make anyone go crazy and talk about playing with fire, everyone will get burnt but maybe Ackerman and Marcus love it.

This was so good I downloaded the next immediately, The Prophet, he has also just released The Cage, the thriller novella.  This is a thriller totally for movie adaptation, bring it on.

Quotes

It's almost as if he doesn't kill for himself.  It's like hes trying to give the world what they expect a crazed killer to be.  He's playing the role that he feels was assigned to him."

Now, he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time once again, engaging in a life or death, kill or be killed struggle. 31% on Kindle

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."  78% on Kindle









 

Blog Hop - What Book were you determined to read this year but didn't?

Welcome to Tea Time with Marce, I am the Host for the end of the year Book Blogger Hop on behalf of Jennifer.  I look forward to networking with you.

 

Happy Holidays

What book were you determined to read this year and you still didn't pick up? Is it at least on your bookshelf or ereader?

I love Michelle Zink, I read the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy and am captivated with her writing, it is a visual journey while reading.

I had this one in my calendar for the release date, one of my most anticipated reads and I never got to it or brought it, sigh.

The issue, YA is not really my cup of tea, it is more like a bonus when I find one I am intrigued with and then love.  So overall the YA mood never really came to read this one. 

I will change that in the new year though.

How about you, I look forward to reading your answer, thanks for participating.

Review - Snowed Over by Angie Stanton

Book Summary

To college student, Katie Brandt, ‘Home for the Holidays’ sounds like hell. When her parents separated, their holiday traditions shattered like a dropped ornament. What could be worse than celebrating Christmas with her suddenly single mom and mom’s new boyfriend?

Alex Walker, an engaged 20-year-old, dreads going home for his own reasons. He has a daunting task ahead of him and wishes he could skip the holidays altogether. So when a friend of a friend needs a ride north, Alex finds that having beautiful Katie seated by his side proves to be just the distraction he needs.

A simple ride home for Christmas turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex find themselves stranded, and a vacant cabin becomes a haven from the storm.

Under different circumstances, time alone with Alex would be the ultimate Christmas gift, but Katie knows Alex is engaged and she must hide her growing attraction.

However, Alex harbors a secret that just might change this holiday from the worst Christmas ever, to the best.

 

 

My Review - 4 1/2 stars

 

I really enjoyed this gem, very charming Christmas read.  And that cover, a favourite winter festive one, it sold me.

 

College life is a big change for kids, the change of child to adult with new emotions and responsibility.  When holiday breaks come most children can't wait to spend time with their families doing the traditions they grew up with. 

 

What if everything changes, how do you deal it?

 

When Katie gets a ride with Alex to drive to their families they are aware of snow coming but not a blizzard.  I loved the conversation between the two, a genuine feel to getting to know others during college years and now having to deal with tragedy together. 

 

I think there is just something about snow which creates magic even in a blizzard.

 

I love when you read novellas and wish they were longer, I definitely could have spent more time with these characters.

 

There were a few grammar tense editing changes needed but over all I loved the story.

 

 

 

 

 

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Monday - Are you reading festive books?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2012 Wishlist.

Did everyone start Christmas early, the blogosphere has been very quiet.......

I have only read 2 festive reads so far but loved them, very charming way to bring in the holiday.

I completed this one, review will be up on Wednesday.

I reviewed this one here.

I'm currently reading a great Serial Killer Thriller.

I also reviewed this inspired noir true crime book.

What is next...  Can you recommend another festive read, one of your favourites?


 

Sundays in Bed with..... Snowed Over

My 5 year old woke me for breakfast, in her words "I'm starving", so quickly made breakfast and then hopped back in bed so I can finish Snowed Over.  A charming, romantic Christmas novella. If your looking for a quick Christmas read I would recommend it.

Book Summary from Amazon

To college student, Katie Brandt, ‘Home for the Holidays’ sounds like hell. When her parents separated, their holiday traditions shattered like a dropped ornament. What could be worse than celebrating Christmas with her suddenly single mom and mom’s new boyfriend?

Alex Walker, an engaged 20-year-old, dreads going home for his own reasons. He has a daunting task ahead of him and wishes he could skip the holidays altogether. So when a friend of a friend needs a ride north, Alex finds that having beautiful Katie seated by his side proves to be just the distraction he needs.

A simple ride home for Christmas turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex find themselves stranded, and a vacant cabin becomes a haven from the storm.
Under different circumstances, time alone with Alex would be the ultimate Christmas gift, but Katie knows Alex is engaged and she must hide her growing attraction.

However, Alex harbors a secret that just might change this holiday from the worst Christmas ever, to the best.

 

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Review - The Prophet by Amanda Stevens

Book Summary

My name is Amelia Gray.

 

I am the Graveyard Queen, a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. My father passed down four rules to keep me safe and I've broken every last one. A door has opened and evil wants me back.  In order to protect myself, I've vowed to return to those rules. But the ghost of a murdered cop needs my help to find his killer. The clues lead me to the dark side of Charleston—where witchcraft, root doctors and black magic still flourish—and back to John Devlin, a haunted police detective I should only love from afar.  Now I'm faced with a terrible choice: follow the rules or follow my heart.

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My Review - 3 stars

I read this one as a ARC and just couldn't put my thoughts together.   This was suppose to be an end to a trilogy and was so successful, it is now being continued as a series.  I was absolutely loving The Graveyard Series, but unfortunately for me this felt like a transition novel, it didn't meet expectations and I was bored at times, so disappointed.

The creepiness is still there and done well, you can feel the presence of the ghosts and the eerie atmospheres.  Can a ghost manipulate, blackmail and make you feel emotions you don't understand, absolutely, especially when you are Amelia.

I couldn't wait to read more about Amelia and Delvin, well that suspense was for nothing, but in the end I felt maybe that is for the next installment.  Delvin is still haunted by his wife and child, this is done very well. 

Amelia doesn't follow the rules her father taught her, she has tempted fate, hmm, I can't wait for the overall consequences of this throughout the rest of the series.

Amelia is still learning who she is and why ghost come to her.  The Prophet does come together for this meaning and Amelia is fighting with understanding her past and her future.  I do think Amanda Stevens is a great author and I love the characters.  I am very excited to read more of this series and think the next book will be amazing.  Her fans of course are happy but I think the decision may have came to late in the writing of this one.

Favourite quote

But no rationale could convince me that the one crawling on my shoe had been an accident.  I no longer believed in the randomness of the universe or the happenstance of everyday occurrences.  Everything happened for a reason, and I was very much afraid this current synchronicity would be the death of me. 

My Reviews

 

The Abandoned

The Restorer

The Kingdom

 

Interview with Amanda Stevens

 

 

 

Review - The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti

Summary inspiration from author to write Wicked Wives

When I was eight years old, I overheard adults in my South Philadelphia neighborhood discussing seventeen disenchanted and unfaithful neighborhood wives who allegedly murdered their husbands for insurance money. This was a fascinating topic for an 8 year- old boy eavesdropping on adult conversation. People were discussing the true story of Philadelphia’s infamous 1938 poison murder conspiracy scandals. My fascination led to obsession as I grew older, and I knew that I had to write about these women, their lovers and their husbands.



My Review - 4 stars

Suspense thriller meets historical fiction creating a great crime novel.   This had it all, love, sex, money, betrayal, crime, court scenes and some great charming, manipulative characters.

The author Gus was eight when he was hearing everyone around him talking about the wicked wives case.  This was his inspiration to write this 1937 noir true crime story from the neighbourhood of the city of Philadelphia.  Women falling for the same gigolo and then poisoning their husbands for insurance money.  They all thought a great plan until they realised they were competing for the same man.  It made me think what was keeping their mouths shut or from killing Giorgio themselves.

Rossi the Detective in charge is also running for District Attorney and is doing his best to keep upstanding morals but coming up against the worst scenarios, will he succeed or give in for his career.  He lived by this saying, also a great quote in the book "Take love away from life...and you take away life's pleasures." 

The suspense in this novel was thrilling, an edge of your seat couldn't wait for the next page, next chapter kind of book.  The court proceedings were nicely done and down right hilarious.

I love how it all came together and the mystery on who was behind everything, well done, you will enjoy this read, very entertaining.

A favourite quote, giving feel of book...........

The courtroom had an overflow crowd and everyone was sitting on the edges of their seats, waiting to hear the details of the case, waiting to be shocked, appalled, and delighted by the sordidness of it all.

 

Review - Yuletide Treasure by Andrea Kane

Summary

Just in time for the holidays, Andrea Kane's beloved short story Yuletide Treasure is available as an eBook for the first time ever.

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.

My Review - 5

Andrea Kane can do no wrong in my eyes, she has proven she deserves the place of my favourite author.  I came across her suspense novels 3 years ago and have loved every one.  I am still working my way through her back list.  Well this gem was announced to release as an ebook and I knew I wanted to try her holiday story.

This is not a suspense holiday read but an adult fiction, historical romance.  Andrea Kane is talented, she writes suspense, romance and historical fiction, I am so impressed.

This is a charming read I highly recommend.  The feel of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett mixed into one.  I loved both of those as much as this one.  I would have loved for it to be a full story but the short story was also perfect.

The characters attach to your heart and the lovely little Noelle adds a lovely touch for a 4 year old girl.  I would love to read more of these characters.

What is the meaning of life?  All the characters, young and old, figure this out.


 

The last month of reading, 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 2012 Wishlist.



I just finished a charming holiday read, review up tomorrow. 5 star

I completed this one, will try to review this week. 4 star

I have no idea what I want to read next, I went through my Wishlist and couldn't decide, what is up with that. 

If I do a Christmas read I have chosen........

 

WoW - More from Kristin Hannah

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

More by Kristin Hannah, so excited.  How gorgeous is the cover.

Publication Date - April 23, 2013

Book Summary

Kristin Hannah's FIREFLY LANE became a touchstone novel in women’s lives. Across the world, women embraced the story of Tully and Kate’s enduring friendship. They laughed with Tully and cried with Kate and anguished over Tully's fractured relationship with her mother. Now, five years later, in FLY AWAY, Kristin Hannah returns to the world of these unforgettable characters and asks the question…

How do you hold yourself together when your world has fallen apart…  FLY AWAY is the story of three women who have lost their way and need each other—plus a miracle—to transform their lives.　  An emotionally-complex, heartwrenching novel about love, family, motherhood, loss, and redemption, FLY AWAY reminds us that where there is life, there is hope and where there is love, there is forgiveness. Told with her trademark visceral storytelling and illuminating prose, Kristin Hannah reveals why she is one of the most beloved writers of our day.

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A walk down memory lane......

I had an amazing family moment yesterday with my 5 year old daughter and her dad.  I had been telling her about the movie E.T. and she said we have to get it.  I remembered it being a favourite of mine and seeing it in the theatre.

It was really amazing to watch again through her eyes.  The sitting on the edge of her seat, sad, laughing and the ultimate cry at the end, awwww.  What a beautiful experience down memory lane.

 

 

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.

 

Hilary Cooper

 

 

The book moment I can't wait to experience with her is The Secret Garden.  My review of that one is here.