The Freedom Broker by K. J. Howe

by Carol3 Comments
I have to admit, I really enjoyed this action adventure/mystery novel. Thea's job is get back people who have been kidnapped, whether through negotiation or rescue operations, and she's good at it. So when her father is kidnapped she can't trust anyone but her team to get him back. Of course, it's not simple. We've got arms dealers and African politicians and oil magnates all vying for power, with her father smack dab in the middle of it. And we've got a love interest for Thea. It's got a lot going on, but exciting and fast-paced. Thea's a great character, smart, tough, and skilled. She's also a bit blinded by her feelings toward her family. This is one of those instances where the reader knows a lot more about what's going on than the protagonist, but even at that there are a few surprising twists. The author has clearly done her research into kidnappings and hostage situations. I also appreciated that Thea is...
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A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

by Carol3 Comments
I have a soft spot for Sherlock Holmes, so when someone (I forget who) said they enjoyed this take on the characters, I had to put it on my to-read list. Jamie Watson and Charlotte Holmes are descendants of the famous duo and they "just happen" to meet at boarding school. In Connecticut. But don't worry, the story will get to that. Coincidences are never really coincidences in a Holmes world. Charlotte is pure Sherlock, complete with drug problems, brilliant deductions, and violin-playing, which comes off a little differently in a 16-year-old girl. She can be tough to like, but we're seeing her through Watson's eyes, and he's either falling in love with her or is obsessed with her or both. When a student they both hates ends up dead, everything points at them, so of course they have to solve the mystery. What else could a Holmes and Watson do? The mystery was clever, with plenty of connections to the original Holmes...
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Dead Tide by Leighann Dobbs

by CarolNo Comments
Mystery, magical power, romance - and pirates. It's light and fun. This was one of my read-a-thon books and it was perfect. It's a quick read, maybe a little unbelievable, but that's okay since it's so enjoyable. The sisters are each discovering their own powers, like seeing ghosts or electric fighting powers - yeah, not sure about that one yet. I like how much they care for each other and how well they all work together. The plot is carried on from book #2; they're hunting for the treasure and so are the bad guys. People end up dead, thankfully none of them. The mystery is not terribly strong here, but the girls and their men make up for it. It does veer strongly toward romance, so if you don't like a love interest clogging up your mystery, avoid this series. I do enjoy it, when it works right, and it does for me with these stories. I'm looking forward to reading...
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The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

by Carol4 Comments
Yeah, so I'm not a fan of The Picture of Dorian Gray. I'm sorry, but it was kind of boring and I knew how it was going to end. The idea itself is interesting; Dorian doesn't age, but his portrait does and it shows all the signs of his downfall instead of him. Of course, it takes almost half the book to get to that part. it's a much more philosophical book than I though it would be. It touches on the nature of art and on society's adoration of youth and beauty. Sin is obviously important to the story  and what a person will do if they are free from consequences, but I think even more important is the dangers of truly influential people. Dorian wasn't the star for me, his "friend" Henry was. It's Henry who leads him down the hedonistic path. Henry is charming and witty, he theorizes and shocks people. He encourages Dorian, even though he himself seems to...
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The End of the Day by Claire North

by Carol5 Comments
Charlie is the Harbinger of Death. It's his job. He's a mortal, has no super powers except a support staff at an office somewhere who are great at making reservations, getting him across borders and out of jail, and paying ransoms. He meets good people and terrible people, and sometimes he's sent for ideas or ways of life and not individuals. He celebrates Life and we travel with him. That's what we do, we see what he sees, hear what he hears, including random snippets of conversation, go where he goes. We're with him when he meets people, gives them gifts, tells them he is the Harbinger and sometimes he comes as a warning and sometimes as a courtesy. We're with him as he listens to people's life stories and when he is beaten and held prisoner. After all, not everyone is happy when the Harbinger of Death shows up; some are though. Yes, sometimes we see slices of the lives of the...
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Wooing the Wedding Planner by Amber Leigh Williams

by Carol1 Comment
Wooing the Wedding Planner is the type of romance I enjoy. Both Roxie and Byron are good, solid characters on their own and their relationship gradually grows. Yes, they know they're attracted to each other way before they do anything about it, but they both have pasts that are standing in their way. The problems aren't too big though, they never seem insurmountable, which I like. I could be friends with Roxie. She's trying to be happy after her divorce, to make the right choices for herself, and she's good at her job. For the record, her family is terrible. Byron is sexy and smart. Due to a mix-up, they are both at the Victorian, although he's living in a separate apartment. He's a widower and has always believed that Strong men have one true love and that love lasts a lifetime. His family is fabulous, funny, accepting, supportive. I never doubted that they would get their happy ending, but I enjoyed...
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