Happy Monday - What are you reading?

Book Date now hosts It's Monday What Are Your Reading?  The meme that we use to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.  It's a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read List.

HAPPY MONDAY

My last review - I was disappointed, only 2 stars

My current read - I'm enjoying it

Book club choice this month - I read it as my first read of the year.  My review 4 1/2 stars

I have no idea what is next - I am feeling a pull towards Adult Fiction and not my normal of suspense, so we will see.

Review - Sister by Rosamund Lupton

Book Summary

When her mom calls to tell her that Tess, her younger sister, is missing, Bee returns home to London on the first flight. She expects to find Tess and give her the usual lecture, the bossy big sister scolding her flighty baby sister for taking off without letting anyone know her plans. Tess has always been a free spirit, an artist who takes risks, while conservative Bee couldn’t be more different. Bee is used to watching out for her wayward sibling and is fiercely protective of Tess (and has always been a little stern about her antics). But then Tess is found dead, apparently by her own hand.

Bee is certain that Tess didn’t commit suicide. Their family and the police accept the sad reality, but Bee feels sure that Tess has been murdered.  Single-minded in her search for a killer, Bee moves into Tess's apartment and throws herself headlong into her sister's life--and all its secrets. 

Though her family and the police see a grieving sister in denial, unwilling to accept the facts, Bee uncovers the affair Tess was having with a married man and the pregnancy that resulted, and her difficultly with a stalker who may have crossed the line when Tess refused his advances. Tess was also participating in an experimental medical trial that might have gone very wrong.  As a determined Bee gives her statement to the lead investigator, her story reveals a predator who got away with murder--and an obsession that may cost Bee her own life.

A thrilling story of fierce love between siblings, Sister is a suspenseful and accomplished debut with a stunning twist.


My Review - 2

This is my first Rosamund Lupton book and it has been on my TBR for a long time.   I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more a few years ago.  I was bored.  The beginning was fantastic and really pulled you in.  I enjoyed the change of style where Bee writes a letter to Tess and the story unfolds mainly in this style.

My problem is that there are no highs and lows by 60% I was so bored, it felt all the same and just went on and on and on so I went to the last 2 chapters just to see the ending.

I really do not understand how so many loved this one.  I enjoyed the sister touch, they were very different but had the special sister connect.  Sweet......but not enough to capture a beautiful emotional story-line for me.

I understand not believing she committed suicide and making sure to prove it for the legacy of her sister.  None of the characters stood out to me.  The mom was there but not.  Others accepted the suicide easily, was Bee just desperate.  Just a weird story, nothing came together for me.

I found the execution to be completely off and I don't think I would give this author another try.  I was quite disappointed. It had me on the edge of falling into a reading slump.

I chose to read Brother by Ania Ahlborn

Thanks for participating in my poll.  Me Before You actually won out by 1 vote but a few of you also said it is not my kind of book which I agree.  It is a mood book for me and I just wasn't sure so I went with the 2nd choice from poll.

Thanks

I chose..........

Brother by Ania Ahlborn

From the bestselling horror author of Within These Walls and The Bird Eater comes a brand-new novel of terror that follows a teenager determined to break from his family’s unconventional—and deeply disturbing—traditions.

Deep in the heart of Appalachia stands a crooked farmhouse miles from any road. The Morrows keep to themselves, and it’s served them well so far. When girls go missing off the side of the highway, the cops don’t knock on their door. Which is a good thing, seeing as to what’s buried in the Morrows’ backyard.

But nineteen-year-old Michael Morrow isn’t like the rest of his family. He doesn’t take pleasure in the screams that echo through the trees. Michael pines for normalcy, and he’s sure that someday he’ll see the world beyond West Virginia. When he meets Alice, a pretty girl working at a record shop in the small nearby town of Dahlia, he’s immediately smitten. For a moment, he nearly forgets about the monster he’s become. But his brother, Rebel, is all too eager to remind Michael of his place…





 

What should I read next?

So blogging friends, I started the year amazingly and was on a high with my choices, the past 3 have been torture and I have wasted a month.  I am even behind 2 reviews now because I just don't want to review them.  My goal this year was to review all.

Please help with what I should read next please.  These are my ideas:

Poll is on sidebar, please choose 1 or  2.

1) Brother by Ania Ahlborn

From the bestselling horror author of Within These Walls and The Bird Eater comes a brand-new novel of terror that follows a teenager determined to break from his family’s unconventional—and deeply disturbing—traditions.

Deep in the heart of Appalachia stands a crooked farmhouse miles from any road. The Morrows keep to themselves, and it’s served them well so far. When girls go missing off the side of the highway, the cops don’t knock on their door. Which is a good thing, seeing as to what’s buried in the Morrows’ backyard.

But nineteen-year-old Michael Morrow isn’t like the rest of his family. He doesn’t take pleasure in the screams that echo through the trees. Michael pines for normalcy, and he’s sure that someday he’ll see the world beyond West Virginia. When he meets Alice, a pretty girl working at a record shop in the small nearby town of Dahlia, he’s immediately smitten. For a moment, he nearly forgets about the monster he’s become. But his brother, Rebel, is all too eager to remind Michael of his place…



2)  me before you by Jojo Moyes

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose . . .

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A Love Story for this generation and perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?



3)  The Girl you Lost by Kathryn Croft

Eighteen years ago your baby daughter was snatched. Today, she came back.

A sinister and darkly compelling psychological thriller from the No.1 bestselling author of The Girl With No Past.

Eighteen years ago, Simone Porter’s six-month-old daughter, Helena, was abducted. Simone and husband, Matt, have slowly rebuilt their shattered lives, but the pain at losing their child has never left them.

Then a young woman, Grace, appears out of the blue and tells Simone she has information about her stolen baby. But just who is Grace – and can Simone trust her?

When Grace herself disappears, Simone becomes embroiled in a desperate search for her baby and the woman who has vital clues about her whereabouts.

Simone is inching closer to the truth but it’ll take her into dangerous and disturbing territory. 

Simone lost her baby. Will she lose her life trying to find her?




4)  Don't you cry by Mary Kubica

In downtown Chicago, a young woman named Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her friend and roommate Quinn Collins to wonder where Esther is and whether or not she's the person Quinn thought she knew.

Meanwhile, in a small Michigan harbor town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her charm and beauty, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more dark and sinister than he ever expected.

As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger's spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us in the end.



5)  The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian

When Kristin Chapman agrees to let her husband, Richard, host his brother’s bachelor party, she expects a certain amount of debauchery. She brings their young daughter to Manhattan for the evening, leaving her Westchester home to the men and their hired entertainment. What she does not expect is this: bacchanalian drunkenness, her husband sharing a dangerously intimate moment in the guest room, and two women stabbing and killing their Russian bodyguards before driving off into the night.

In the aftermath, Kristin and Richard’s life rapidly spirals into nightmare. The police throw them out of their home, now a crime scene, Richard’s investment banking firm puts him on indefinite leave, and Kristin is unsure if she can forgive her husband for the moment he shared with a dark-haired girl in the guest room. But the dark-haired girl, Alexandra, faces a much graver danger. In one breathless, violent night, she is free, running to escape the police who will arrest her and the gangsters who will kill her in a heartbeat. A captivating, chilling story about shame and scandal, The Guest Room is a riveting novel from one of our greatest storytellers

Review - Field of Graves by JT Ellison

Published Release Date - June 14, 2016

Book Summary from NetGalley

With FIELD OF GRAVES, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison goes back to where it all began… 

All of Nashville is on edge with a serial killer on the loose. A madman is trying to create his own end-of-days apocalypse and the cops trying to catch him are almost as damaged as the killer. Field of Graves reveals the origins of some of J.T. Ellison's most famous creations: the haunted Lieutenant Taylor Jackson; her blunt, exceptional best friend, medical examiner Dr. Samantha Owens; and troubled FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin. Together, they race the clock and their own demons to find the killer before he claims yet another victim. This dark, thrilling and utterly compelling novel will have readers on the edge of their seats, and Ellison's fans will be delighted with the revelations about their favorite characters.

My Review - 3 1/2

JT Ellison takes us back to where it all started and we get to meet characters who we already know for the first time.  I didn't enjoy this part as much as I thought I would because I have followed the journey's of theses characters and love both Dr. Samantha Owens (the medical examiner) and Lieutenant Taylor Jackson series.  I thought it would bring new information for us to know which I didn't really think it did and of course we get to have a case to follow which is the great part of her series.

I have read 4/8 of LT Taylor series and all but one of Sam Owens, they both appear in both series because they are an amazing team together. I will have to analyzing why I enjoy Dr. Sam Owens series more.

We get to see how Baldwin and Taylor get together which was interesting, a nice to know.  They found each other when they were put together on this case and their history and the support was a perfect match, more than the spark they initially felt. I like that they are still together and now show the dynamics of the balance of work and personal.

I am also a fan of Andrea Kane, and this story reminded me of one of hers, Twisted.  University students are going missing and found murdered, all but one who ended up being the chosen one.  I really like the style of letting the reader be a part of the investigation, guessing along the way, profiling the killer, agreeing or not agreeing with the detectives.

I did feel like it took to long to investigate one part of the story coming together, which I believe could have made the difference in possibly two being murdered.  The illness of the killer didn't sit well with me and so the ending wasn't climatic.

JT Ellison is one of my favourite authors and I will read all her new works while still catching up on the older ones.  I expected a different spin on this one since it was taking us back but it fits perfectly with the LT Taylor series.  I would put this as Book 1 maybe in the series. My expectation not being met and the investigation missing a key clue to get to the killer earlier makes it a 3 1/2 instead of a  4 or 4/12 on a favourite series, which I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for this read, they really help to keep me updated on her books.

It's Monday, What are you reading?

Book Date now hosts It's Monday What Are Your Reading?  The meme that we use to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.  It's a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read List.

Published - December 2011
My current read.......

I read another JT Ellison, her newest to the LT Taylor series - 3 1/2 
My Review

I reviewed this NetGalley read - 2 1/2 - 3 stars
My Review

My Bookclub's choice this month - it was my first read of the year
My Review

I just started my current read so I am unsure what is next.




I have completed my Yoga Certificate, I am now a certified Strala Yoga Guide, have you heard of Tara Stiles and Strala?  I'm so excited.........

Review - Dear Emma by Katie Heaney

Published - March 1, 2016

Received from NetGalley

Amazon's Summary

Harriet, the author of her college newspaper's pseudonymous student advice column "Dear Emma," is great at telling others what to do, dispensing wisdom for the lovelorn and lonely on her Midwestern campus. Somehow, though, she can't take her own advice, especially after Keith, the guy she's dating, blows her off completely. When Harriet discovers that Keith has started seeing the beautiful and intimidating Remy, she wants to hate her. But she can't help warming to Remy, who soon writes to "Dear Emma" asking for romantic advice.

Now Harriet has the perfect opportunity to take revenge on the person who broke her heart. But as she begins to doubt her own motivations and presumably faultless guidance, she's forced to question how much she really knows about love, friendship and well-meaning advice.

My Review - 3

I wanted something light and saw this on Netgalley and was intrigued.  It felt very young to me, maybe it is for YA fans. I read it rolling my eyes most of the time.

I enjoyed the character Emma and the advice she gave to the college students in their newspaper for the column Dear Emma.  My main issue is that Harriet is nothing like the strong willed decisive Emma and I couldn't help to not care about her character, she came across as flaky mainly for herself and the friendships didn't feel real to me.  It all felt high schoolish, not like college life.
 
She is 'dating' a guy when he stops texting her.

She bitches and complains and does nothing.

Her new library colleague, Remy, just happens to be the new girlfriend of her now 'ex'.

Of course Harriet hates her.

She talks about it with her roommates with no decision on what to do.

Then Remy writes in 'Dear Emma' my boyfriend hasn't contacted me in 3 days, deja vu.

Sigh........ This is how it felt to me.  A little choppy, not great execution.

Harriett has two roommates who she cares a lot for but the relationships didn't feel real to me.  It was more disturbing that she considered one to be her best friend.  I did find it interesting when one friend is having amazing moments in their life and the other is in a low place it is hard to want to share which ends up putting walls up between them.  I thought this was a good storyline but could have been more fleshed out.

I didn't connect with any characters and it definitely didn't feel like college days to me either.  As this was inspired from Jane Austen's Emma, which I haven't read, I would recommend to those fans.  It gets a 3 because I finished it but definitely not my cup of tea, more like a 2 1/2.

It's Monday, what are you reading?

Book Date now hosts It's Monday What Are Your Reading?  The meme that we use to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.  It's a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read List.


I'm currently in New York completing my Strala Yoga certification, yaaaaaay.........   sorry for not being around last week, I had so much to organize since I am away for 2 weeks.  My 9 year old daughter, day time work, preparing yoga participants for substitute, consultancy HR work, it has been hectic.  I also don't like to post when I don't have time to network, I enjoy the give and receive part of blogging.

Tara is an inspirational yoga guide.

I'm currently reading (I expected more, trying to finish soon, ready to move on)

I reviewed and showcased the movie trailer being released in September. 

My Review

I wanted something light after reading The Other Wife, so I got this  from NetGalley, hope I enjoy it.

Amazon's Summary

Harriet, the author of her college newspaper's pseudonymous student advice column "Dear Emma," is great at telling others what to do, dispensing wisdom for the lovelorn and lonely on her Midwestern campus. Somehow, though, she can't take her own advice, especially after Keith, the guy she's dating, blows her off completely. When Harriet discovers that Keith has started seeing the beautiful and intimidating Remy, she wants to hate her. But she can't help warming to Remy, who soon writes to "Dear Emma" asking for romantic advice.

Now Harriet has the perfect opportunity to take revenge on the person who broke her heart. But as she begins to doubt her own motivations and presumably faultless guidance, she's forced to question how much she really knows about love, friendship and well-meaning advice.

Enjoy your week......

Review - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Publication - June 2011

Book Summary

A mysterious island.



An abandoned orphanage.



A strange collection of very curious photographs.



It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.


My Review - 3 1/2

I saw the trailer of the upcoming movie and remembered I have had this one on my shelf since it was released.  I immediately picked it up.  The best part of this book are the photographs, unique with a historic artistic feel throughout the story. I love the movies X-Men and thought it may be similar, the Peculiar children were similar and they intrigued me but didn't have the pull were I am so engaged with them I need to follow there journey.  I wish this was a stand alone novel, the pictures are great but unsure if that style would continue with great ratings for the whole trilogy.

The first half of the story was engaging, a five star read for me.  Jacob's grandfather trusted him and shared some fascinating stories and photos, which you wonder are real or fantasy.  Something happens and Jacob is told to go check on his grandfather.  He and his friend find the house empty, go in the woods and walk into a horrifying surprise. Part of the reveal takes Jacob and his father on an adventure.

I am excited when Jacob and his father travel to the island.  Jacob is eager to understand more about his grandfather and find out how much of the stories are true.  The story begins to get creepy and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the reveal of the peculiar children.  Instead of an elaborate display this part was slowly done as they were unsure of Jacob.  And this is where it began to lose its appeal for me.  The children were Peculiar but not were I was excited, fascinated or even curious for more.  They were revealed and that was it, maybe it was that Jacob had to embrace them for who they were but just didn't feel like the hold your breath moment I was looking for.

This is where the true adventure for Jacob began and it became unsafe for not only him but the Peculiar children and the people on the island.  Those that want the Peculiar children become a risk and they are fighting for their existence and safety.  I don't mind gruesome but this felt out of place, monsters wanting to eat children, the Peculiars.  This becomes a run for their life state of affairs.  Jacob has to make a decision, go home with his father back to their family or become a part of what can be his new home with Miss Peregrine and the Peculiar Children.  Overall an original idea especially with the photography but I thought it started really strong and just had a weird ending with unforgettable characters in my opinion.  If you want to try something unusual, this is it.  I am not interested in reading on.

Also, I am glad I had the hardback, I couldn't imagine reading this on a Kindle. I have read that those that have downloaded do not recommend either.

I almost gave this a 4 because I thought the first half was extremely strong, the photography unique but the 2nd half felt like a different book and it doesn't pull me to want to know what happens next.


The Movie will be released September 2016, what do you think, looks cool.........

Tackling the TBR list

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I use LibraryThing for tracking my TBR with notes on who recommended or where I heard about the book, won it etc.

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

I am now a 99% ebook reader.  I have actually decided to download the books still on my bookshelf that I still have interest in reading.


A book that has been on your TBR pile the longest

This is one I just need to download because I really want to read it.

A book you recently added to your TBR pile

I love books on mental illness, it is the mental heath career I never followed that draws me.

A book in your TBR with a beautiful cover

Hmmmm, I love thrillers and crime so a beautiful cover, this just didn't work for me. I have always loved this cover, I like artistic covers.

My Review

A book on your TBR that you never plan on reading

Don't throw books at me...... I read Hunger Games and have no interest in reading the others.  I was able to appreciate the hype but they are not for me.  I have loved the movies though.

My Review of Hunger Games 3 1/2 stars
My Review of the Movie 5 stars

An unpublished book on your TBR that you are excited about

Release date - May 17, 2016

I absolutely love the Forensics Instinct series, so to see this coming out EXCITED

Book summary

A serendipitous crossing of paths between two women leaves one of them dead and the other a fugitive— hiding behind one lie after another to escape a cold-blooded killer. 

A 16-year-old female gymnast’s dream of Olympic gold is shattered when the “supplement” she has been taking turns out to be a designer performance enhancing drug. 

Her trainer, Julie Forman, is furious at the people who victimized her star pupil, and goes on a personal crusade for the truth. That crusade is interrupted by a serendipitous crossing of paths between Julie and Lisa Barnes, a down-on-her-luck woman seeking a job. This chance meeting lands one of them six feet under and the other hiding behind one lie after another. 

In a twisting tale of medical research gone awry, bodies are piling up between Chicago, New Jersey and Vermont as a megalomaniacal genius will stop at nothing 

A book on your TBR that basically everyone's read but you

There have been to many mixed reviews of this one and bloggers saying similar to Gone Girl which I didn't enjoy so this is on my TBR list but I'm pretty sure I won't end up reading it.

A book on your TBR that everyone recommend to you

I can't wait to read this one.

A book on your TBR that you are dying to read

I love everything Lisa Genova, a favourite author, this is just a mood read for me but I can't wait to read it.

A book that you have crossed off your TBR list recently that you really loved

JT Ellison - a book from her Samantha Owens series which I love

My most recent Review

Fictionophile posted this on her blog, so I decided why not participate, I am in the mood today.

I would love to hear one of your responses to the Tackling the TBR list post in the comments.   And if you did the post, let me know.

Review - Edge of Black by JT Ellison

Book Summary

Dr. Samantha Owens is starting over: new city, new job, new man, new life. But before she's even unpacked her office at Georgetown University's forensic pathology department, she's called to consult on a case that's rocked the capital and the country. An unknown pathogen released into the Washington Metro has caused nationwide panic. Three people died—just three.

Amid the media frenzy and Homeland Security alarm bells, Sam painstakingly dissects the lives of those three victims and makes an unsettling conclusion. This is no textbook terrorist, but an assassin whose motive is deeply personal and far from understandable.

Xander Whitfield, a former army ranger and Sam's new boyfriend, knows about seeing the world in shades of gray. About feeling compelled to do the wrong thing for the right reasons. Only his disturbing kinship with a killer can lead Sam to the truth...and once more into the line of fire.

My Review - 4 1/2

I think JT Ellison has officially became my favourite investigative thriller author and to think the first book I read by her I wasn't impressed, so glad I tried again.  She gives me everything I want now.  The feeling of being on the edge and can't read fast enough to know how it will end.  Allowing the reader to be part of the investigation as clues are revealed.  Really great characters who you begin to connect with and look forward to seeing more of. There are always connections which highlights how small our world really is, I find this so true and exciting.

The Edge of Black is the 2nd book in the series of Dr. Samantha Owen, a Forensic Pathologist.  This book begins with an unknown environment attack in the Metro system and a student falls ill while Samantha is teaching.  They rush her to the hospital when all hell breaks loose, is this a terrorist attack.  Many are sick and in the hospital but only 3 die, how is this possible?  I enjoyed the investigation on finding out if the 3 are connected and how.  

We get to know unknown groups in the underworld, tech hackers, groups that many would consider cults and those that live the clean life, away from all.  Samantha's new lover, Xander, is one and he has his own way of helping the investigation.  Book 1 is about Samantha losing her family, helping to investigate a murder of a friend and meeting Xander.

This book is told from the voices of Samantha, Xander and an old friend Detective Darren Fletcher, they are not officially a team and always banter with who is in charge and who and when should they reveal delicate information for the investigation but also their own safety.   I liked that this book felt like it could happen today which is quite scary.  I think we would be amazed at how many people are out to damage the government in any way possible and how many are ready to try to continue living when the world is vulnerable and possibly ending. 

We first met Samantha in the Taylor series by JT Ellison but I love these one's a little more.  I would start with A Deeper Darkness.  I highly recommend this to fans of thrillers, crime/police procedural and suspense fans. Also those that used to love Patricia Cornwell, give this series a try.  A 5 star series, I need to read book 4, I don't know how I read out of order.

Samantha Owen Series for JT Ellison

A Deeper Darkness (Book 1) I didn't review 4 1/2 stars

Edge of Black (Book 2)

When Shadows Fall (Book 3 ) My Review 5 star  (I read out of order)

What Lies Beyond (Book 4)

It's Monday What Are Your Reading?

Book Date now hosts It's Monday What Are Your Reading?  The meme that we use to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.  It's a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read List.

I'm currently reading

The movie will be out in September.

I completed but need to review.  I love JT Elllison

I completed and reviewed

Book club read - Boys in the Boat, I couldn't into it, but thanks to you guys I was able to tell one of the ladies to listen to it and she loved the audio book.

This one is starting to speak to me, it might just be my next read

Movie Trailer - Have you read Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children?

I have had this book forever, also bought it instead of downloading on Kindle due to the pictures included, what a very cool hardback book.

I saw the trailer yesterday and it made me pick it up, so I started it today.

Have you read it, did you enjoy it?  Are you looking forward to the movie?  Does the trailer get you excited?

My daughter has been sick since Wednesday night, she hasn't been able to enjoy any of the Easter festivities and there are a ton to choose from here in Bermuda.  Poor site, she has just been sleeping, not eating.  I have had the chance to read lots though.

Have a great week.

Review - The Visitor by Amanda Stevens

Release Date - March 29, 2016, next week - thanks to Netgalley for this read

Book Summary

Restoring lost and abandoned cemeteries is my profession, but I’m starting to believe that my true calling is deciphering the riddles of the dead. Legend has it that Kroll Cemetery is a puzzle no one has ever been able to solve. For over half a century, the answer has remained hidden within the strange headstone inscriptions and intricate engravings. Because uncovering the mystery of that tiny, remote graveyard may come at a terrible price.

Years after their mass death, Ezra Kroll’s disciples lie unquiet, their tormented souls trapped within the walls of Kroll Cemetery, waiting to be released by someone strong and clever enough to solve the puzzle. For whatever reason, I’m being summoned to that graveyard by both the living and the dead. Every lead I follow, every clue I unravel brings me closer to an unlikely killer and to a destiny that will threaten my sanity and a future with my love, John Devlin.

The Visitor - Book 4 of the Graveyard Queen Series 

My Review - 3

This has been one of my favourite series but I wasn't able to connect with this one.  I have been thinking about it for a week and I think the fact that it has been four years since the last may be the issue. It still has the eerie atmospheric feel that keeps you reading but I found it took to long to get to the mystery.

The other books in the series were perfectly executed into each other but I felt Amanda Stevens had to give back story to really have you remember even from the beginning regarding the rules Amelia's dad taught her to stay safe.

Something very strange was happening to and around me.  I recognized a supernatural manipulation as surely as I could sense the icy chill of a ghostly presence..... The intrusion from beyond both angered and frightened me, but I couldn't deny a certain fascination.  Kindle 31%

I have been patiently waiting to read more about Amelia and Devlin's relationship and what the connection was but again the carrot was dangled and this was one of the main background stories with a anticlimactic ending, enough to make me want to read the next one, I won't give up on the series.

I was on the fence also with this one as Amelia seemed very scared, unsure of her gift and at times herself.   She has been given a puzzle to solve and there are those that want to keep her out of it.  Is it the dead or individuals she has come in contact with for her next job.  Amelia has a new gift that she needs to understand and except which adds to the eerie feeling and is visible frightened.

Death walkers are those rare individuals who have the ability to help souls pass from this world to the next.  They serve a unique and powerful purpose in the circle of life.  Kindle 37%

I do like that there are additional family connections for Amelia to learn about.  She has also been able to tap into Devlin's history, this was intriguing but a little weird, the point in a relationship where you may want that skill but also know it is wrong.

Out of all the books in this series, this has been the most odd one, mysterious but not as engaging, it may just not have been what I expected.  The Sinner, book 5 is out in September, I do look forward to that one, I need closure with this series now.  Amelia also felt she didn't quite understand her role in this book which may be why I was a little put off, it didn't grip me like the others.

From the prequel to Book 2, amazing series, book 3 and book 4 have been ok for me.  I wished they continued on with the covers though, they were stunning.

See below for my reviews if interested.  It was also an honour to have Amanda Stevens give an interview here at Tea Time with Marce, have a read if you have enjoyed her Graveyard Queen series.

My Reviews

 

The Abandoned  Prequel

The Restorer Book 1

The Kingdom Book 2

 The Prophet Book 3

Interview with Amanda Stevens